Bushra Bibi secures bail in £190m graft case

RAWALPINDI:

An accountability court on Monday approved the pre-arrest bail of Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, in the £190 million reference case.

The decision followed the IHC’s approval of Imran’s bail plea in May. The former prime minister, along with Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders, is under investigation by the NAB for a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon that allegedly resulted in a £190 million loss to the national exchequer.

Despite the bail approval, the couple remains in custody due to the Iddat case. A district and sessions court recently rejected their pleas for suspension of their sentences in this matter.

During the Tuesday hearing, the NAB presented three additional witnesses, who were cross-examined by the defence lawyers. To date, statements from 30 witnesses have been recorded, with 27 undergoing cross-examination.

The accountability watchdog’s counsels informed the court that an arrest warrant for Bushra Bibi has not yet been issued. The court has summoned additional witnesses for the next hearing, scheduled for July 5.

Speaking to journalists at Adiala Jail, Bushra Bibi criticised the current government, stating, “The country is under the rule of devils who are tarnishing the reputation of both the nation and its military.”

She described the government as one of “fraudsters and thieves,” attributing the country’s disgrace to them. “Every member of this government is a devil.”