Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi Arrested in New Toshakhana Reference
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been arrested in a new National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference related to Toshakhana gifts.
A team from the anti-corruption watchdog, led by Deputy Director Mohsin Haroon, arrested the couple at Adiala Jail. Sources said this new reference alleges they misused power to acquire Toshakhana gifts.
According to Geo News, this happened hours after an Islamabad district and sessions court acquitted the former premier and his wife in the iddat case, also known as the un-Islamic nikah case. This was the final barrier to their release from jail.
The court accepted their pleas to annul their conviction in the iddat case. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka announced the short order reserved earlier that day.
In February, a trial court sentenced Khan and Bushra to seven years in prison and fined them Rs500,000 each after finding their nikah fraudulent. Bushra’s ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, had moved the court against their marriage.
The 28-page verdict noted that Maneka’s lawyer argued his client was deprived of the right of Ruju—the period to reconcile the relationship within the iddat duration after divorce. However, the court highlighted that Maneka had “remained passive for about six years,” which meant his right to Ruju had already expired.
The court stressed Maneka’s failure to prove his case against Khan and Bushra, stating: “They [Khan and Bushra] are directed to be released forthwith if not required to be detained in any other case.”
The verdict also rejected petitions seeking to form a medical board and consultations with religious scholars.
