- Court grants bail in seven diverse legal cases.
- Surety bonds of PKR 50,000 each were ordered.
- Prosecution failed to provide forensic receipt evidence.
Relief Granted to PTI Leadership
In a significant legal development, a local court in Islamabad has granted pre-arrest bail to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in seven distinct cases. The decision was announced on Tuesday by Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka, marking a pivotal moment in the couple’s ongoing legal battles. The court directed both individuals to submit surety bonds worth PKR 50,000 each for each case to secure their temporary freedom from arrest.
Judicial Details of the Case
The proceedings were conducted with intense scrutiny as Judge Afzal Majoka reviewed the merits of the bail applications. According to BBC Urdu, the prosecution team, comprising Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani, Mazhar Bashir, and Tahir Kazim, presented their arguments against the bail. They maintained that solid evidence exists against the accused and urged the court to reject the applications, asserting that the couple did not deserve judicial leniency at this stage.
Specific Charges and Allegations
The seven cases involved include various charges related to the events of May 9, the Azadi March, attempted murder, vandalism, and arson. Additionally, the cases involve allegations of submitting fake Toshakhana receipts. While Imran Khan faces charges in all seven instances, Bushra Bibi is specifically implicated in the case regarding the alleged submission of fraudulent Toshakhana receipts at the Kohsar Police Station in Islamabad.
Barrister Salman Safdar’s Defense
Representing the PTI founder and his spouse, Barrister Salman Safdar presented a robust defense. He highlighted that this was the first time in his career, as well as the court’s, that such a long delay had occurred in deciding bail applications. Safdar pointed out that the court had issued 30 separate orders for the jail authorities to produce his clients, yet none were complied with, reflecting a lack of cooperation from the administration.
Prosecution Arguments and Evidence
The defense attorney further argued that many of these cases were politically motivated and designed to intimidate the leadership. He noted that although the cases were registered in 2023, the timeline has now stretched to 2026 without any formal charges being framed or investigations completed. Salman Safdar emphasized that the prosecution’s interest in these cases appeared to have waned, given the absence of a challan and any meaningful progress in the investigation process.
Inquiries Regarding Fake Receipts
During the hearing, the court specifically inquired whether the alleged Toshakhana receipts had been recovered. The prosecution admitted that the receipts were never found, though they claimed the accused had displayed them to the media. When asked if any forensic analysis had been conducted on the digital or physical evidence presented to the public, the prosecution was unable to provide a satisfactory answer or any forensic reports to back their claims.
Final Court Decision Announced
After hearing detailed arguments from both sides, Judge Afzal Majoka concluded that the requirements for pre-arrest bail were met under the current circumstances. The court formally approved the bail requests for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi across all seven cases. This ruling provides a temporary legal shield for the former premier and the former first lady as they continue to navigate a complex web of litigation in the capital’s courts.