Bushra Bibi petitions IHC against Bani Gala residence being declared sub-jail

Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, has lodged a petition at Islamabad High Court (IHC) challenging the authorities’ decision to confine her to her Bani Gala residence to serve a 14-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.

Bushra Bibi was put under house arrest at her Islamabad residence after accountability sentenced the couple to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana case.

In the filed petition, Bushra Bibi maintained that just like other political workers of the party, she is ready and willing to serve her sentence in the “Ordinary Jail Premises at Adiala Jail, Adiala rather than the declared sub-jail at her residence”.

As per the filed petition, the former first lady said she does not feel safe to be confined alone in the premises of the sub-jail due to potential security issues.

“While the petitioner is in good health currently, however, there has been a movement of unidentified people in her house declared as a sub-jail by the Government thereby contributing to her sense of insecurity,” Bushra Bibi maintained in the petition.

Bushra Bibi said the “special treatment” afforded to her goes against the spirit of equality guaranteed under the Constitution and is consequently discriminatory.

“The impugned notification goes against the principles of justice and equality as provided under Islam whereby each citizen is to be afforded equal treatment and no individual is superior to another or is to be given preferential treatment,” it said.

The petition furthermore contended that the hearing of the Al-Qadir Trust case had been fixed for Feb 10 and transferring Bushra from Banigala to the accountability court would be a “hectic exercise”.

“In light of the facts and circumstances enumerated hereinabove, it is most humbly prayed that the impugned notification dated Jan 31 may be graciously set aside and the petitioner may be shifted to Adiala Jail to serve her sentence in the interest of justice,” it concluded.