In an unfolding chapter of legal drama, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan met his wife, Bushra Bibi, in Attock jail, marking their first face-to-face encounter since Khan’s arrest on August 5. This meeting, however, took place without the presence of Khan’s legal representatives, as lawyers Naeem Panjotha, Sher Afzal Marwat, and Ali Ijaz Buttar were denied permission to visit the imprisoned PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) Chairman.
Bushra Bibi, accompanied by Khan’s lawyers, made her way to Attock jail where she was granted permission to meet her husband. The one-on-one interaction between the couple lasted approximately an hour, during which the legal team was excluded. Although the three lawyers endeavored to secure access to the deposed prime minister, they were unable to overcome the barriers, despite producing court orders. These sources revealed that the legal team remained outside the jail premises.
The clearance for Bushra Bibi’s visit to Khan was reportedly obtained through a decree from the Islamabad High Court (IHC). After the meeting, Khan’s wife returned to Lahore.
The circumstances leading to Khan’s arrest date back to his conviction in the Toshakhana case. Accusations revolve around the misuse of his 2018-2022 premiership to acquire and sell state gifts received during international visits, accumulating a value exceeding Rs140 million ($635,000). Khan steadfastly refutes these allegations.
Amidst the legal saga, Additional and Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar handed down a verdict affirming the charges of asset misdeclaration against the PTI chairman. The court ruled three-year imprisonment for Khan, coupled with arrest warrants and a fine amounting to Rs100,000. Furthermore, Khan’s petition challenging the admissibility of the case was rejected by Judge Dilawar.
In a strategic move, Khan’s political party has launched a counteraction by appealing to the Supreme Court to nullify Judge Dilawar’s verdict, asserting its lack of validity. The PTI is resolutely challenging the trial court’s decision.
Seeking an alternative trajectory for Khan’s detainment, the PTI has also approached Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), requesting the transfer of Khan from Attock jail to Adiala jail.
The evolving narrative around Khan’s legal battle, his meeting with Bushra Bibi, and the active role his legal team is playing underscores the intricate interplay of politics and justice. As Khan’s legal saga continues to unfold, his party’s proactive engagement with higher judicial bodies reveals an attempt to steer the course of the narrative in their favor.