IHC directs authorities to transfer Bushra Bibi from Bani Gala to Adiala jail

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday ordered the transfer of former prime minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, from the Bani Gala sub-jail to the Adiala jail.

The court also declared the chief commissioner’s notification declaring Bushra Bibi’s residence Bani Gala as a sub-jail “null and void”.

IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb announced the reserved verdict on the petition filed by Bushra Bibi seeking her transfer from the Banigala residence— which had been declared a sub-jail to the Adiala jail — where her husband is currently incarcerated.

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The former first lady had been placed under house arrest at her Bani Gala residence following her conviction in the Toshakhana case.

Last week, the court had reserved the verdict after hearing the arguments. During the hearing, Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Usman Riaz Gul, argued that the notification regarding her transfer to Bani Gala was illegal as the transfer was made without her consent and violated her rights.

The superintendent jail had relayed that they could not accommodate Bushra Bibi due to security concerns in Adiala Jail. 

However, Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb expressed skepticism, questioning how a prisoner’s property could be converted into a prison against their will.

The former first lady was taken into custody on January 31 after an Islamabad accountability court sentenced her and Imran to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana reference.

Almost a week after her arrest, Bushra Bibi had challenged the residence’s status as a sub-jail, urging the IHC to let her complete her 14-year sentence in Adiala Jail.