RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Terrorism Court Rawalpindi has discharged Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, from 12 cases related to the events of May 9, 2023.
The cases against Bushra Bibi were heard by Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Malik Ijaz Asif at Adiala jail, where police requested her physical remand. The court conducted a detailed hearing on the Rawalpindi police’s request for physical remand and ultimately turned down their request.
The police argued that Bushra Bibi needed to be investigated in connection with 12 cases, including the attack on GHQ. Representing Bushra Bibi, her lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, argued against the police plea.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala jail, Salman Safdar stated that the court heard 12 cases against Bushra Bibi related to the May 9 incidents, in which she was nominated based on various statements. However, nominating her those statements lacked legal merit, he said.
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Barrister Safdar further explained that after hearing detailed arguments, the court not only discharged Bushra Bibi from all the cases but also rejected the police’s request for her physical remand.
He noted that the prosecution had presented three statements accusing Bushra Bibi of her involvement in the May 9 events, but those were dismissed by the court.
“After a long hiatus, a welcome decision has come from the court,” said Barrister Safdar, adding that the court rejected the prosecution’s evidence, stating that the statement of any them holds no legal weight.
He also mentioned that the court questioned the delay in action, noting that it had been one year and three months since the May 9 incidents.
He added that four prosecutors represented the government in court today, and the government retains the right to challenge the decision.
“As a professional lawyer, I have never criticized any court decision,” Safdar said. “Decisions have been made here even in the dark of night, and today’s ruling will certainly impact the cases against the PTI founder.”
Safdar remarked that although Imran Khan was acquitted in the cipher case, the final decision has yet to be issued.