ISLAMABAD:
In a notable development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted bail to Bushra Bibi, wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, in a case related to the Toshakhana (gift repository).
Despite the court’s decision, Bushra Bibi remained in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where her husband is also detained, as the trial court judge or his substitute was unavailable to issue her release order.
Earlier in the hearing, a single-member bench of the IHC, led by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, commented that the case against Bushra was akin to Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s reference.
“In the Isa case, the husband [Isa] was held accountable for his wife’s actions, while in this case, the wife [Bushra] is being held responsible for her husband’s actions,” Justice Aurangzeb remarked.
During Imran Khan’s tenure, a reference was filed against Justice Isa, now the chief justice, for failing to declare his family’s foreign properties in his wealth statement. The Supreme Court later dismissed the reference.
Justice Aurangzeb also mentioned a case involving a British prime minister who kept gifts from foreign dignitaries during his time in office.
“When questioned, he [the prime minister] justified the acquisition by following the rules, but was reminded that beyond the rules, his stature mattered as well,” said the judge, seemingly referring to former UK PM Tony Blair, who reportedly left office with 76 prime ministerial gifts in 2010.
During the proceedings, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor argued that the market value of the jewelry set allegedly acquired by Imran and Bushra without following proper procedure could not be determined without its physical presence.
“The jewelry was never submitted to the Toshakhana, and it was appraised while still in the couple’s possession, preventing the state from properly assessing its value,” the prosecutor said.
The court suggested the jewelry’s value could be determined through an auction and inquired what would happen if Imran and Bushra returned the Bulgari set. The prosecutor noted that while plea bargains are permitted under NAB law, the case no longer falls under NAB jurisdiction.
The FIA’s investigating officer emphasized that any gift received by the state must be declared and submitted. “Until it is legally purchased, the gift remains state property. According to the procedure, a gift can be purchased within four months after its valuation.”
“This case involves a gift that was never submitted. One cannot keep a state-owned gift before purchasing it,” the officer added.
Justice Aurangzeb also shared an anecdote about a museum in Azerbaijan displaying such gifts, mentioning that it included a model of Al-Aqsa Mosque gifted by Yasser Arafat and a photo of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
The court then asked if Bushra Bibi needed to be questioned, to which the FIA officer replied no.
Ultimately, the IHC granted bail to Bushra Bibi upon the submission of surety bonds worth Rs1 million. However, she remained in custody as her release order did not reach the jail on Wednesday.
