Bushra Bibi petitions IHC to move her to Adiala jail from Bani Gala sub-jail

By
Awais Yousafzai

February 06, 2024

Security personnel escort Bushra Bibi (2L), wife of jailed former Pakistans Prime Minister Imran Khan, as she arrives at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on December 12, 2023, before hearing of her husband at a special court. — AFP
Security personnel escort Bushra Bibi (2L), wife of jailed former Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, as she arrives at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on December 12, 2023, before hearing of her husband at a special court. — AFP

  • Bushra, Khan awarded 14-year jail term in Toshakhana case.
  • She is willing "to serve her sentence in Ordinary Jail Premises". 
  • “Special treatment” goes against spirit of equality. 

ISLAMABAD: Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has challenged the authorities' move to imprison her at Bani Gala residence to serve a 14-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.

Last month, Bushra Bibi was imprisoned at her Islamabad residence after accountability sentenced the couple to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana case.

Authorities had declared the Bani Gala residence a "sub-jail" to confine the former first lady at the request of Adiala jail superintendent.

Bushra and Khan were awarded a 14-year jail term, each, when accountability court's Judge Muhammad Bashir announced the verdict in the case related to the illegal sale of state gifts.

The court also disqualified the former prime minister for 10 years from holding public office besides imposing a fine of Rs1.57 billion — 787 million each — on the couple.

In the petition today, Bushra Bibi said just like other political workers of the party, she is ready and willing to serve her sentence in the “Ordinary Jail Premises at Adiala Jail, Adiala rather than the declared sub-jail at her residence”.

Moreover, the former first lady said she does not feel safe to be confined alone in the premises of the sub-jail due to the potential security issues.

“While the petitioner is in good health currently, however, there has been a movement of unidentified people in her house declared as a sub-jail by the Government thereby contributing to her sense of insecurity,” she claimed.

Bushra Bibi said the “special treatment” afforded to her goes against the spirit of equality guaranteed under the Constitution and is consequently discriminatory.

In view of the stated reasons, the petitioner pleaded with the court to set aside notification to declare her house sub-jail and shift her to Adiala Jail in the “Interest of Justice”.