Court Issues Arrest Warrant for Bushra Bibi in Latest Toshakhana Proceedings

In a significant development, a special court on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, citing her consistent failure to appear in hearings related to a fresh Toshakhana corruption case. The case pertains to allegations of unlawfully acquiring a high-value Bulgari jewelry set, gifted by a foreign leader, at an undervalued price, reportedly causing a substantial loss to the national exchequer.

Bushra Bibi, who had earlier secured bail in this case from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in October and was subsequently released from Adiala Jail, has now been absent from 10 consecutive court hearings. The warrant, issued by Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand, underscores the court’s intent to enforce accountability and proceed with the trial.

The Toshakhana saga has already ensnared both Bushra Bibi and her husband, Imran Khan, who has been incarcerated since August 5, 2023, in a separate Toshakhana case. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has accused the couple of misusing their positions to unlawfully retain state gifts, including the luxurious jewelry set comprising a necklace, earrings, bracelets, and rings.

Timeline of Legal Proceedings

The couple's indictment was initially scheduled for October 2, but at the defense counsel’s request, it was postponed to October 5. However, their post-arrest bail petitions were denied by the court, and Imran Khan has remained in custody since.

On October 24, Bushra Bibi was granted bail by the IHC, allowing her temporary release from detention. Since then, she has been reportedly staying in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, following a crackdown on PTI protests in Islamabad.

Broader Legal Troubles for PTI Leadership

Meanwhile, Imran Khan continues to face an avalanche of legal challenges, with a staggering 76 cases registered against him in the federal capital alone. A recent writ petition filed by his sister, Noreen Niazi, revealed that 62 FIRs had already been registered before 14 new cases were added following PTI’s protests last week.

The arrest warrant for Bushra Bibi marks an intensification of legal scrutiny on the PTI leadership, signaling the judiciary’s determination to pursue high-profile cases tied to corruption and misuse of authority. The next hearing in the Toshakhana case has been scheduled for Monday, as the court continues its proceedings.