Remand extended for Imran, Bushra

ATC grants couple's physical remand for 11 days

ISLAMABAD:

The Accountability Court (ATC) has extended the physical remand of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi for another 11 days in new Toshakhana case.

Accused Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were produced before ATC judge Nasir Javed Rana in Adiala Jail. NAB's investigating officer Mohsin Haroon and deputy prosecutor general Sardar Muzaffar appeared before the court.

The NAB counsel informed the court that the accused cooperated with the investigating team only twice during the previous 10-day physical remand. The NAB requested the court to extend the physical remand for two weeks in order to complete the investigation.

Imran and Bushra Bibi's lawyers Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry and Intizar Panjhota appeared before the court.

After hearing the arguments, the court extended the physical remand of the accused for 11 more days and ordered the NAB to produce them before the court on August 19.

It is pertinent to mention that PTI founder and his spouse have already completed 24 days of physical remand in new Toshakhana case.

Meanwhile, Islamabad High Court's (IHC) two-member bench has referred a plea of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi against their arrest in new Toshakhana case to the IHC chief justice for fixing it before another bench.

The two-member bench comprising Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir held a hearing on Imran and Bushra's plea against their arrest in new Toshakhana case.

During the hearing, Justice Mian Gul Hasan Aurangzeb remarked that the NAB had quoted Imran Khan as saying that he would not become a part of investigation, come what may.

The judge said it is not acceptable that an accused refuses to cooperate in the investigation.

The petitioner's lawyer said the NAB arrested Imran and Bushra in new Toshakhana case despite the trial court's notice on a pre-arrest bail plea.

The court pointed out another plea of same nature is also being heard. Barrister Salman replied the hearing on the plea is fixed in October, adding it is the fourth case of the same kind.

The court said the file will be sent to the chief justice for merging all cases of the same kind and forming a bench to hear the cases.