ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad has granted interim bail to Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, in 13 cases related to the D-Chowk protests.
The court granted the bail until February 7, 2025, and ordered Bushra Bibi to submit surety bonds of Rs 5,000 for each case.
The bail applications were heard by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who addressed the legal proceedings in the cases registered against Bushra Bibi following the November 26 protests.
A total of 13 cases were filed at various police stations across Islamabad, with charges related to the D-Chowk protests.
Three cases were registered at the Secretariat Police Station, two each at the Margalla and Karachi Company Police Stations, and one case each at Ramna, Tarnol, Kohsar, Aabpara, and Khanna Police Stations. The court issued notices to the police and summoned the case records for the next hearing.
During the proceedings, Bushra Bibi expressed her disillusionment with the judicial system. While speaking to Judge Sipra, she conveyed her loss of confidence in the courts, stating, “We have lost faith in the courts.”
She further elaborated on her concerns, mentioning a specific instance where a judge had ignored his health issues to pass a verdict against them, questioning the integrity of the legal process.
Judge Sipra responded by assuring her that the justice system, despite its imperfections, continues to function and is vital for society’s stability. He acknowledged the flaws but emphasized that without a functioning judicial system, society itself would be at risk.
In a separate hearing, the court also addressed the allegations involving Bushra Bibi related to ramming a vehicle into Rangers’ personnel, during which Bushra further criticized the judicial process. However, the court proceeded to grant her interim bail in the case registered at Ramna Police Station as well.
Bushra Bibi’s legal team appeared before the court during the hearing, where the presiding judge voiced frustration over the paperwork, particularly her demand for “VIP protocol” during the bail proceedings. Despite the tension, the court prioritized the hearing and granted bail in all 13 cases.
The case records are to be presented at the next hearing, which has been adjourned for further proceedings.
Earlier on Monday, a court in Islamabad had rejected the interim bail granted to Bushra Bibi in three cases for failing to deposit surety bonds.
Prosecutor Iqbal Kakar and Bushra’s counsel Advocate Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry appeared in the court. The prosecutor told the court that the former first lady had not deposited the bonds in these cases as yet.
When Additional Sessions Judge Majoka asked Advocate Chaudhry about that, he replied, “Today is the verdict in the 190 million Pound case. And Bushra’s conviction in it is a writing on the wall.”
The judge wondered as to why the court orders had not been implemented and threw out all three bail pleas.
