The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on Thursday regarding a petition filed by Bushra Bibi, the spouse of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, seeking her transfer from the Bani Gala sub-jail to the Adiala jail.
Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
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 the Bani Gala residence as a “sub-jail” to confine the former first lady at the request of the Adiala jail superintendent.
On February 6, Bushra challenged the authorities’ decision to confine her at Bani Gala to serve a 14-year sentence in the case.
In her petition, Khan’s wife asserted that like other political workers of the party, she was willing to serve her sentence in the “Ordinary Jail Premises at Adiala Jail, rather than the declared sub-jail at her residence”.
Additionally, Bushra expressed concerns about her safety, being confined alone in the sub-jail premises due to potential security issues.
She argued that the “special treatment” given to her contradicted the principle of equality guaranteed under the Constitution and was discriminatory.
Considering these reasons, Bushra pleaded with the court to nullify the notification declaring her house a sub-jail and transfer her to Adiala jail in the “interest of justice”.
Bushra and Khan were both sentenced to a 14-year jail term by the accountability court’s Judge Muhammad Bashir in the case related to the illegal sale of state gifts from Toshakhana.
The court also disqualified the former prime minister from holding public office for 10 years and imposed a fine of Rs1.57 billion on the couple.
Khan maintained that his wife had no involvement in the case and was being unjustly implicated.
Background on the Toshakhana Case: The Toshakhana case revolves around allegations that Khan misused his position as prime minister from 2018 to 2022 to buy and sell gifts received during visits abroad for substantial profits.
The gifts, which included watches from a royal family, were allegedly sold off in Dubai by Khan’s aides.
The National Assembly Speaker, Raja Pervez Ashraf, forwarded a reference to the Election Commission, prompting an investigation.
In October 2022, the electoral body found Khan guilty of corrupt practices and filed a complaint in an Islamabad court.
Toshakhana, established in 1974, stores precious gifts given to rulers, parliamentarians, and officials by foreign dignitaries. These gifts range from bulletproof cars to expensive paintings, watches, ornaments, and more.
