Islamabad: On Thursday, A special court issued an Arrest warrant for Bushra Bibi, wife of PTI founder Imran Khan. The warrant pertains to a Toshakhana case after her absence from 10 consecutive court hearings.
Court Proceedings
In September, Judge Shahrukh Arjumand set the couple’s allegation date for October 2. However, the hearing was postponed to October 5 at the defense counsel’s request. Before the indictment could proceed, the judge denied their post-arrest bail petitions.
On October 24, Bushra Bibi was released from Adiala Jail following her bail approval. Despite her release, she failed to appear for multiple hearings, prompting the court to issue the arrest warrant.
Recent Developments
On Thursday, Special Judge Arjumand presided over the case, which has now been adjourned until Monday. The court has also sent a notice to Bushra Bibi’s guarantor.
According to party leaders, Bushra Bibi is believed to be in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This follows the PTI leadership’s retreat from Islamabad after a police crackdown on their protest last week.
Background of the Case
The Toshakhana case involves allegations against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi for retaining an expensive Bulgari jewelry set. The set, gifted by a foreign leader, included a necklace, earrings, bracelets, and rings. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) accuses the couple of acquiring these items at a significantly undervalued price, causing financial loss to the national exchequer.
Imran Khan has been in custody since his arrest on August 5 last year for a separate Toshakhana case. Bushra Bibi, arrested on July 13 in the same case, was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in October.
Growing Legal Troubles for Imran Khan
Imran Khan faces mounting legal challenges, with 76 cases filed against him in Islamabad alone. These include 62 first information reports (FIRs) filed earlier, along with 14 additional FIRs registered after last week’s PTI protests in the capital.
Implications of the Toshakhana Case
The Toshakhana cases against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi highlight allegations of misuse of authority and financial misconduct. Toshakhana is a government facility for storing gifts given to public officials. Selling or retaining items at undervalued prices raises concerns about transparency and ethical governance.
Conclusion
The arrest warrant for Bushra Bibi underscores the gravity of the Toshakhana case. As legal proceedings continue, the spotlight remains on accountability and adherence to the law by political figures. Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi face significant challenges ahead as they navigate these allegations in the courts.