New Toshakhana reference against Imran, Bushra transferred to special judge

Decision follows restoration of NAB Amendment Ordinance, which removed the case from NAB’s jurisdiction

ISLAMABAD:

An accountability court has transferred a new Toshakhana reference involving the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and his wife Bushra Bibi to the Special Judge Central.

The decision follows the restoration of the NAB Amendment Ordinance, which removed the case from the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) jurisdiction.

Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich of Accountability Court No. 2 heard the case at Adiala Jail, where the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi sought post-arrest bail. NAB prosecutors argued that, following the reinstatement of the NAB amendments, the reference no longer falls under their jurisdiction and should be transferred to another court.

The legal team for Khan and Bushra Bibi agreed with the transfer but requested that the court approve bail before the case is moved. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court adjourned for more than three hours before issuing a two-page decision.

In the ruling, the court confirmed that the reference no longer falls under NAB's authority and transferred the case to the Special Judge Central.

The court added, "If this court cannot hear the reference, how can it grant bail?" It directed that the bail plea also be heard by the Special Judge Central, with the hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

The case has been adjourned until then.