Bushra's bail in gifts case challenged

FIA moves SC against IHC's October 23 order

ISLAMABAD:

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has challenged the Islamabad High Court (IHC) decision to grant bail to former first lady Bushra Bibi in a case related to violation of state gifts repository rules during her husband Imran Khan's term as the prime minister.

The FIA has filed an appeal against the IHC order in the Supreme Court, contending that a single-member IHC bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb granted bail to Bushra on October 23 while hearing her application in his chamber.

It said the IHC did not consider the established principles set by the Supreme Court while granting the bail. According to the FIA, the prosecution's case is that Bushra Bibi is involved along with her husband.

While granting bail, it claimed, the high court did not consider that the prosecution had evidence showing that the Bulgari jewelry set was not submitted to the official gifts repository.

The Supreme Court has previously ruled that even if a woman has a criminal record, bail should not be granted. Bail cannot be granted solely on the basis of 263 days spent in jail. The decision of the IHC should be annulled, and the bail should be revoked, it added.

In a significant development, the capital's high court on October 23 granted bail to Bushra Bibi in a gift-repository case, paving the way for her release after 9-month-long incarceration.

During the hearing, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb remarked that the case against Bushra was similar to Justice Qazi Faez Isa's reference.

"In the Isa case, the husband [Isa] was held responsible for the actions of his wife, and in this case, a wife [Bushra] is held accountable for the deeds of her husband [former PM Imran]."

During Imran Khan's rule, a reference was filed against Justice Isa, the former chief justice, for not disclosing his family members' foreign properties in his wealth statement. The Supreme Court later quashed the reference.

Justice Aurangzeb also referred to the case of a British prime minister who took possession of all the gifts presented by foreign dignitaries during his tenure.

"When questioned, he [that PM] replied that he acquired the gifts according to the rules. He was told that while the rules are one thing, your stature also matters," he added.

Justice Aurangzeb was apparently alluding to former UK PM Tony Blair who reportedly left office in 2010 with 76 prime ministerial gifts.

On Saturday, both Imran and Bushra also filed requests in a trial court for their acquittal in the case. The IHC is also going to hear Imran's bail application in the case on Monday, November 4.