An Islamabad district court granted PTI founder Imran Khan interim pre-arrest bail in six cases and Bushra Bibi in one, citing lack of forensic evidence and failure by prosecution to substantiate allegations.
Islamabad: In a significant legal reprieve for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), a District and Sessions Court in Islamabad on Tuesday granted pre-arrest bail to party founder Imran Khan in six different cases and to his wife, Bushra Bibi, in one case.
The written orders issued by Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka provided relief to the former prime minister in cases ranging from the Toshakhana fake receipts scandal to allegations of inciting rebellion during the May 9 protests.
Toshakhana Fake Receipts Case: No Forensic Proof
The court approved pre-arrest bail for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the high-profile Toshakhana fake receipts case. The case alleges that the couple produced counterfeit receipts related to the sale of state gifts.
In his order, the judge made critical observations regarding the prosecution’s investigation:
- The prosecution admitted to seeing the alleged receipt on social media but failed to present it for forensic examination.
- No proof was provided to establish that fake receipts were formally submitted to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) or the Cabinet Division.
- The complainant, a local watch dealer, alleged the accused created fake invoices using his shop’s forged letterhead.
“The accused attempted to damage the reputation of my business by generating fake invoices for Toshakhana gifts,” the complainant had stated in the FIR registered at Kohsar Police Station.
May 9 Cases and Defamation Allegations
The court also granted bail to Imran Khan in a case related to alleged defamatory remarks against senior figures. The order noted that the prosecution failed to produce any speech or evidence showing that he had spoken against the Pakistan Army.
In cases linked to the May 9 protests and attempted murder charges, the judge ruled that the prosecution had not substantiated the allegations. The decision stated that:
- Khan’s presence at the scene of the protests had not been established.
- There was no evidence to show the demonstrations were carried out at his direction.
- The prosecution failed to provide material establishing that the PTI founder had incited rebellion.
Bail Terms and Pending Cases
The court approved bail against surety bonds of Rs50,000 in each case. The six cases against the PTI founder were registered at Kohsar and Secretariat police stations in Islamabad, as well as in Karachi and other locations.
Context: Toshakhana-II Conviction
This pre-arrest bail relief comes just months after a special court sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in the Toshakhana-II case on December 20. That case centered on allegations that the couple unlawfully retained a Bulgari jewellery set gifted by the Saudi Crown Prince.
The Toshakhana reference, originally filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition, relates to allegations that the former Prime Minister failed to disclose details of the gifts he retained from the state depository during his tenure.
