On Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) invoked the analogy between the Qazi Faez Isa assets case and the Toshakhana case against Bushra Bibi in order to order her release on parole.
Umair Majeed, the FIA prosecutor, appeared before Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb of the IHC in the second case of Toshakhana gifts, where Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, submitted a bail plea.
A gift that the state receives must be submitted and declared, according to the prosecutor. The gift remains the state’s property until it is lawfully acquired. The state-owned gift cannot be kept in private possession prior to its purchase, the prosecutor continued.
Justice Aurangzeb inquired with him as to why Imran Khan, the founder of PTI, was accused in the event that Bushra Bibi did not submit the gifts. The prosecutor, Majeed, responded that her spouse was a public office holder.
The case was comparable to that of Justice Isa, as noted by Justice Aurangzeb. In this instance, the spouse was also held accountable for his wife’s actions.
The justice department noted that a British prime minister also received goods back home. When questioned, he responded that he had accepted the gift in accordance with the regulations.
Justice Aurangzeb inquired of the prosecutor regarding the consequences of Bushra Bibi returning the gift.
The prosecutor, Majeed, responded that the NAB law included a provision for plea bargaining. However, under Toshakhana law, that provision was unavailable.
Since the case was transferred, the justice inquired whether he had conducted any investigations. He replied in the negative.
Bushra Bibi was granted bail by Justice Aurangzeb, and, in exchange for two Rs1 million surety bonds, she was instructed to be released.
