An accountability court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the absence of Bushra Bibi and her legal team, warning that if this continued, her bail might be revoked and arrest warrants reissued.
The hearing, concerning the 190 million-pound reference, took place at Adiala Jail with Judge Nasir Javed Rana presiding. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan attended in person, while Bushra Bibi was represented by assistant lawyer Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry.
During the session, Chaudhry requested exemption from attendance for Bushra Bibi on medical grounds. However, the prosecution opposed this, pointing out that neither Bushra Bibi nor her primary lawyers were present.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor noted that today’s hearing had been scheduled with the lawyers’ knowledge, and they should have informed the court of any other commitments.
The prosecutor also highlighted that the exemption request was unsigned by Bushra Bibi or her legal team, indicating that formal procedures had not been adhered to. “We do not insist on Bushra Bibi’s presence at every hearing, but she should appoint a representative if she doesn’t wish to appear,” the prosecutor said.
He added that no medical documentation was provided and alleged that Bushra Bibi was misusing her bail, suggesting a show-cause notice be issued against her.
In response, the court expressed strong dissatisfaction with the absence of Bushra Bibi and her lawyers, warning that repeated absences could result in her bail being revoked and warrants reissued.
Due to the lack of legal representation, the cross-examination of the investigating officer was postponed, and the court rescheduled the hearing for the following day.
Toshakhana Fake Receipts Case
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi also face fraud charges in Islamabad’s Kohsar Police Station, linked to allegedly fabricated receipts for state gift sales, as reported by ARY News.
The FIR lists Khan, Bushra Bibi, Shahzad Akbar, Zulfi Bukhari, and Farah Gogi, accusing them of forgery and fraud.
The complaint states that the accused submitted fake receipts to facilitate the sale of Toshakhana gifts using a forged signature. A local watch dealer, who filed the complaint, claims investigations revealed that the accused created false receipts in his name, using forged letterhead from his business to sell Toshakhana items.
The complainant added that this forgery was an attempt to harm his business’s reputation. The case stems from allegations that the former Prime Minister failed to disclose the gifts he retained from Toshakhana while in office, leading lawmakers from the ruling coalition to file the case last year.
