A court in Islamabad on Thursday handed former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi another indictment in Toshakhana-II case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were present in the courtroom as Special Judge Central Sharukh Arjumand heard the case and then announced the indictment. Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi pleaded not guilty.
The preliminary investigation into the Toshakhana-II case was conducted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). However, after amendments made to the NAB laws the investigation was transferred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
After announcing the indictment, the court adjourned the hearing of the case to December 18.
Earlier on Thursday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) disposed of the petition filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Bushra Bibi in the Toshakhana-II reference.
During the hearing, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb told Barrister Salman Safdar, counsel for Bushra, that if his client would not appear in the trial court, the latter could cancel her bail.
The judge asked Barrister Safdar, “Where is Bushra?”
The counsel replied she was in the courtroom.
“Safdar saab, you should take cases like these seriously,” the judge remarked.
Barrister Safdar informed the judge that there had been 15 hearings of the case since October 23. “It appears that the court is in a rush.”
The judge asked him about the occasions on which Bushra was granted exemption from appearance in the court.
The lawyer replied that the first time his client was granted an exemption was on November 5. “She appeared at the next hearing on November 8. There was no hearing on November 12. And on November 14, she was granted another exemption.”
He went on to say that there were three hearings of the cases involving Bushra this week.
Justice Aurangzeb ordered Barrister Safdar to provide to the IHC the trial court’s order sheet so that it could know on which dates the former first lady was granted exemptions.
The judge also ordered him to inform about the number of hearings at which the former PM’s wife did not appear in court after she was granted bail.
It may be mentioned here that the court had earlier also provided the FIA with the copies of the investigation report at the request of the defendants.
Bushra Bibi had received the Bulgari jewellery set during a visit to Saudi Arabia from May 7 to 10, 2021. The set included a ring, a bracelet, a necklace, and a pair of earrings. During the investigation for the reference, it was found that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi illegally retained the Bulgari jewellery set. According to charges in Toshakhana-II case, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi violated Section 9 and subsections 3, 4, 6, and 12 of the NAB Ordinance 1999.
Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid, others charge-sheeted in May 9 case
PTI senior leader and former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid and others were also indicted in a May 9 case relating to torching a police station in Lahore.
All the PTI leaders pleaded not guilty.
After announcing the indictment, the court adjourned the hearing to December 19 and also summoned the witnesses.
Anti-terrorism court Admin Judge Manzar Ali Gill conducted hearing of the case at Lahore Kot Lakhpat Jail.
The judge remarked that accused in the Askari Tower attack case will be indicted on next hearing which will be on December 23.
Reporters Ershad Qureshi and Jamaluddin Jamali