IHC seeks arguments on Bushra Bibi's bail plea

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday sought arguments from the prosecution on Wednesday (today) on the bail application of Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, in the Toshakhana gifts case.

IHC Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the bail application of Bushra Bibi. Her lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, told the court that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered the case on September 18 and, surprisingly, completed the entire process in just two days and submitted the challan in court.

Giving history of the case, Barrister Safdar said that on May 7, 2021, a gift of a Bulgari set was received from the Saudi crown prince. According to the prosecution, he said, the Cabinet Division was informed about the gifts but they were not submitted, and a lower price was determined through a private person.

Barrister Safdar argued that Suhaib Abbasi, who had determined the price of the Bulgari set, had now become a witness, and after that, Customs officers had determined the price. He added that all those people had been made witnesses and none of them had been made accused in the case.

To a court query, the lawyer said that there was no mention in the rules about a private person determining the price of the gifts.

He further told the court that the case was made after a delay of three years and three months but neither was a criminal case filed nor anyone arrested during that time.

FIA Special Prosecutors Zulfiqar Abbas Naqvi and Umair Majeed appeared in court. They said they would oppose the bail application. The court sought arguments from the FIA on Wednesday (today) and adjourned the hearing.