The judge also grants Bushra Bibi pre-arrest bail in the Ramna protest and vandalism case with a bail of Rs 50,000.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard six pre-arrest bail applications from the PTI founder and one from Bushra Bibi. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
ISLAMABAD:
A local court in Islamabad on Tuesday approved pre-arrest bail applications for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former first lady Bushra Bibi in multiple cases.
Both were granted bail through sureties of Rs 50,000 each. Bushra Bibi was also granted pre-arrest bail in a separate case related to the protests.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard six pre-arrest bail applications from the PTI founder and one from Bushra Bibi. The PTI founder is facing cases related to the May 9 Azadi March incidents, attempt to murder, vandalism, arson and alleged fake Toshakhana receipts, while Bushra Bibi is facing a Toshakhana-related case registered at Kohsar police station.
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During the trial, the prosecution argued that there was substantial evidence against the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi, claiming that they were not entitled to bail and requesting that their applications be dismissed.
Lawyer Salman Safdar, representing the accused, argued that these were among the first pre-arrest bail applications, in his experience and that of the court, which had faced such long delays.
He noted that 63 adjournments were granted to the state, the court ordered jail authorities to produce the PTI founder on 30 occasions but he was not produced, and five show-cause notices were issued to the superintendent.
Safdar emphasized that the bail applications were based on merit, not medical grounds, and highlighted that except in the May 9 case, no previous bail application had ever been rejected. He also noted that some cases appeared to have been brought to intimidate, without formal charges being laid.
After hearing the arguments, the court approved pre-arrest bail for both the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi.
Separately, Additional District and Sessions Judge Amir Zia also granted Bushra Bibi pre-arrest bail in a protest and vandalism case registered at Ramna police station, allowing her bail on a bond of Rs 50,000.
