In a significant development, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was granted bail by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday in the second Toshakhana case. The court, led by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, accepted Khan’s bail plea, allowing his release subject to the submission of two bonds worth PKR 1 million each.
Imran Khan, 72, has been incarcerated since his arrest on August 5, 2023. The exact timeline of his potential release remains unclear as Khan must fulfill the bail conditions set by the court. This legal victory comes after the rejection of Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi’s request for acquittal earlier in the day.
The Toshakhana case, also referred to as Toshakhana 2.0, revolves around allegations that Imran Khan and his wife unlawfully retained state gifts at discounted prices, violating the established rules and causing a loss to the national exchequer. These allegations have raised serious concerns regarding the misuse of public resources by the former premier.
In addition to granting bail, the court ordered Khan to appear before the trial court after his release, warning that any failure to comply with court procedures could lead to the revocation of his bail. Khan and his wife were arrested on July 13, 2023, just hours after being acquitted in a separate case involving Iddat.
Khan’s arrest and legal troubles stem from a series of cases following his ousting as Prime Minister through a no-confidence motion in 2022. His political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has faced numerous challenges amid his ongoing legal battles. Bushra Bibi, his wife, had previously been granted bail on October 24, 2023, and was released from jail.
This development has intensified political and legal debates within Pakistan, with many questioning the broader implications of the Toshakhana cases for political figures and public accountability.
Sources By Agencies
