Deal rumours swirl as Imran's wife walks out of jail after 9 months

Former first lady arrives in Peshawar

RAWALPINDI:

Amid rumours of a deal between the powers that be and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, was finally released on Thursday after nine months of detention, following her conviction in a gift repository case on January 31.

A single-bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted bail to the former first lady in the second gift repository case that was lodged after her acquittal in the first.

However, her release was delayed as neither the trial court judge nor a substitute was available to issue the release order that day.

Her release was expedited compared to the usual legal process, as typically, when a robkar (release order) is issued, the imprisoned person is released within two hours. However, Bushra Bibi was released in just 20 minutes.

While media personnel and PTI workers waited outside the prison to engage with Imran's wife, the former first lady quickly departed without speaking to anyone. However, the workers showered her car with flowers as it sped away.

Adviser to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif said that Bushra Bibi reached Peshawar safely after her release and will stay there for some time. On Thursday, Bushra Bibi's lawyers returned to the special judge central's court along with surety bonds of Rs1 million. Judge Shahrukh Arjamand later issued the release order. Accompanied by a court official, assistant lawyer Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry arrived at Adiala Jail with the release order.

After completing the legal procedures, the jail administration released Bushra Bibi. On this occasion, a bulletproof vehicle from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government was granted entry into the jail premises. Imran's PTI rules the K-P province.

Strict security arrangements were made during Bushra Bibi's release. She was transported from the jail to the PTI founder's Bani Gala residence in the bulletproof vehicle.

No central leader of the PTI was present at the jail during her release, though a few assistant lawyers showered flower petals on her vehicle. Special security arrangements were made by the police of the twin cities during Bushra Bibi's transfer from jail to Bani Gala.

Later, the former first lady reached Peshawar where she would stay at the Chief Minister's house. According to sources, her lawyers advised her to stay in Peshawar during her bail. She was accorded VVIP protocol when she entered the K-P jurisdiction.

Senator Faisal Vawda alleged that Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, is being released from jail as part of a pre-planned deal.

"Bushra Bibi is being freed 100 per cent as part of a deal, and this is all part of the plan," he said in an interview with a private TV channel on Thursday.

Vawda also accused senior PTI leaders of conspiring against Imran Khan, stating, "The party leaders pushed Imran Khan into the fire." He added that key figures like Ali Amin Gandapur had disappeared during critical moments.

However, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar stated that if Bushra Bibi's release had been the result of a deal, she wouldn't have remained in jail.

Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Barrister Gohar mentioned that Bushra Bibi's release after nine months was possible because she endured tough conditions in prison while standing firm with Khan's ideology.

He said, "We salute her courage and congratulate all PTI voters and supporters. Khan sahib will also be released soon."

Barrister Gohar stated that keeping his wife in jail was intended to put pressure on Khan. He assured that the founder's release would happen and it would be on merit, adding that claims of a deal are unfounded. "If that were the case, she wouldn't be in jail," he remarked.

He further said "Arrests have happened, and all have seen releases based on merit."

The chairman of PTI emphasized that Bushra Bibi has no connection to the Toshakhana case or any other case. "No matter what you do, the public stands with Imran. He has confidence in us, and we are following his orders. He will soon be among the people; everyone is united under the founder's leadership."

He further stated, "I deny any claims of Imran Khan expressing anger during meetings with party leaders. There is no truth to that; it is misinformation. We did not accept the 26th amendment before, and we do not accept it now."