IHC reserves verdict on Bushra Bibi’s plea seeking transfer to Adiala Jail

On Thursday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on a petition filed by former prime minister Imran Khan’s spouse, Bushra Bibi.

In the filed petition, ex-premier Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi is seeking her transfer from her Banigala residence — which had been declared a sub-jail — to Adiala Jail.

IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb reserved the verdict after hearing the arguments.

Although the said petition was disposed of last month due to Bushra Bibi’s lawyers failing to appear before the court, a plea was filed the same day seeking its restoration.

During today’s hearing, the former first lady’s lawyer Usman Gul said before the court that the process of declaring the residence a sub-jail was completed within a few hours.

Justice Aurangzeb posed an array of questions on declaring Bani Gala a sub-jail, asking the state counsel if its notification was prepared in a minute.

“Don’t you feel it was already decided that Bushra Bibi had to be transferred (home)? How many women have been brought to Adiala jail, after sending Bushra Bibi home?” IHC Justice inquired.

The IHC judge questioned if the 141 women brought to the jail after that had lesser rights. “Why don’t you send the other women home as well?” he questioned.

Responding to the judge, the government’s lawyer said Bushra was transferred to Bani Gala for threat in jail.

Justice Aurangzeb said he would be overjoyed if he was “willingly” confined to his house and questioned how a prisoner’s property could be made a sub-jail without their consent.

Bushra Bibi was placed under house arrest at her residence in Bani Gala on January 31, following her conviction in the Toshakhana case.