The Islamabad High Court (IHC) issued an order on Wednesday to transfer Bushra Bibi, the spouse of former prime minister Imran Khan, from the Bani Gala sub-jail to Adiala jail.
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC announced the verdict on Bushra Bibi’s petition, which sought her transfer to Adiala jail, where her husband is currently imprisoned.
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The court had reserved the verdict on May 2 after hearing arguments. The superintendent of the jail had previously stated that they couldn’t accommodate Bushra Bibi due to overcrowding and security concerns.
Furthermore, the court declared the notification declaring Bushra Bibi’s residence in Bani Gala as a sub-jail as “null and void.”
Bushra Bibi was placed under house arrest at her Bani Gala residence on January 31, following her conviction in the Toshakhana case. The authorities designated her Bani Gala residence as a “sub-jail” at the request of the Adiala jail superintendent.
On February 6, Bushra challenged this decision, expressing her willingness to serve her sentence in Adiala jail instead. She cited concerns about security and fairness, arguing against the special treatment she was receiving.
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In the Toshakhana case, both Bushra and Imran Khan were sentenced to 14 years in jail each, along with disqualification from holding public office for ten years and a hefty fine. Khan maintained that his wife was innocent and unjustly implicated in the case.
The case revolves around allegations of illegal sale of state gifts from Toshakhana. Under Toshakhana rules, government officials can keep low-value gifts or pay a reduced fee for extravagant items. Khan was accused of profiting from selling gifts received during his premiership, including expensive watches, which were alleged to have been sold in Dubai.
The Election Commission, prompted by a reference from National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf, investigated the matter. In October 2022, the electoral body found the former prime minister guilty of corrupt practices and filed a complaint in an Islamabad court.