Islamabad High Court Grants Bail to Bushra Bibi in Toshakhana II Case

Islamabad High Court on Wednesday approved the bail application of former First Lady Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana II case. The decision was delivered by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, who ordered her release on bail, subject to submitting two surety bonds of PKR 1 million each.

During the court proceedings, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor, Umair Majeed, presented arguments regarding the legal status of state gifts. He emphasized that any gifts received by public officials on behalf of the state must be declared and can only be retained after being purchased through legal means. Justice Aurangzeb questioned why, despite the accusations against Bushra Bibi, her husband, PTI founder Imran Khan, was also named as an accused. The prosecutor responded that Imran Khan was a public officeholder, hence his involvement.

Throughout the hearing, Justice Aurangzeb drew parallels to international examples, notably mentioning cases involving gifts received by British officials. He noted that while some gifts were deemed legal under specific rules, they still raised ethical questions about the recipients’ stature.

This case bears similarity to previous legal battles, such as the one involving Justice Qazi Faez Isa, where a public figure’s spouse was held accountable. The judge’s remarks also highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability concerning state assets.

FIA’s investigative officer admitted in court that no further inquiry was conducted after the case was transferred, a detail that may have influenced the court’s decision to grant bail. Following the bail approval, Justice Aurangzeb ordered the immediate release of Bushra Bibi, emphasizing adherence to legal protocols concerning surety bonds.