RAWALPINDI: Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, was arrested outside Adiala Jail as she arrived to surrender following the Accountability Court’s decision to sentence her to 14 years of imprisonment in the Toshakhana case.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team detained her after Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir declared the verdict, sentencing both Bushra and Imran Khan to 14 years of hard labor in the Toshakhana case. The judge also disqualified Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi from holding any public office for 10 years.
A substantial fine of Rs1.5730 billion was imposed on the founder of PTI and Bushra Bibi. While Imran Khan appeared in court before sentencing, his wife did not attend.
During the hearing, the Accountability Court judge inquired whether PTI founder had submitted the 342 statement. Imran Khan responded, “I have prepared the statement, and I will submit it when Bushra Bibi and my lawyers arrive.”
بہادر عمران خان کی نڈر بیگم نے خود گرفتاری دے دی۔۔ pic.twitter.com/QHvWG0Wsky
— Ehtesham Ali Abbasi (@ehtashamabbasi) January 31, 2024
Addressing the judge, the PTI founder expressed his frustration, stating, “Why are you in such a hurry? I have been cheated; I was only summoned for attendance.” Imran Khan requested time for his lawyers to arrive, but Judge Muhammad Bashir declined.
Later, the judge communicated to Imran Khan through the jail superintendent to appear in the courtroom to complete the proceedings. However, Imran Khan refused, leading Judge Bashir to deliver a concise verdict in the Toshakhana case.
Upon Imran Khan’s eventual appearance in the courtroom, Judge Muhammad Bashir pronounced a 14-year imprisonment sentence with hard labor for the former Prime Minister and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana case. Additionally, a fine of Rs1.5730 billion and a 10-year disqualification were imposed.
It’s noteworthy that Bushra Bibi’s statement was recorded on Tuesday, but the hearing was postponed due to Judge Muhammad Bashir’s ill health.
