Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan, was released from jail on Thursday after nearly nine months in custody following her arrest in the Toshakhana corruption case.
Her release followed a decision by Islamabad high court judge, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, who granted bail in exchange for a surety bond of Rs 1 million.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party confirmed the release in a WhatsApp message, saying: “Bushra Bibi, the former First Lady, has been released from prison.” The message also noted that her initial arrest occurred on January 31, after she and Khan were convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case.
The Toshakhana case alleged that Imran Khan and his third wife, Bushra Bibi, were involved in corruption, profiting from the sale of gifts they received from foreign dignitaries.
During the bail hearing, Justice Aurangzeb questioned the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) investigative officer about the need for further questioning of the former first lady. The officer confirmed that no additional investigation was required.
Meanwhile, the indictment proceedings against Khan and Bushra, initially set for Wednesday, were postponed due to security concerns. The hearing, originally scheduled to take place at Rawalpindi’s high-security Adiala Jail, was moved to Islamabad’s Judicial Complex.
However, due to continued security issues, the proceedings have been rescheduled for October 26.
Bushra Bibi’s release brings relief to both the PTI and Imran Khan, who has maintained that his wife had no involvement in the case.