Court extends Imran, Bushra Bibi’s physical remand in Toshakhana case

An accountability court in Rawalpindi on Monday extended the physical remand of PTI founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi for 10 days in a new Toshakhana case.

Imran, 71, has been imprisoned at Adiala Jail for nearly a year following his conviction in four cases — two Toshakhana references, the cipher case, and the Iddat case, in which his wife, Bushra Bibi, is also jailed.

Although Imran’s sentences in the Toshakhana references were suspended and he was acquitted by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the cipher case in June, various other courts have acquitted him in several cases filed against him since the events of May 9, 2023.

This was the day when his first arrest sparked riots across the country, leading to a state crackdown against him and his party.

Recently, an Islamabad district and sessions court accepted appeals filed by Imran and his spouse against their conviction in the Iddat case. However, shortly after their acquittal, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) re-arrested the couple in a new Toshakhana case, thwarting their hopes for release from prison.

On July 14, NAB secured an eight-day remand of Imran in the Toshakhana case. Additionally, Lahore police arrested him in connection with a dozen cases, including the attack on the Corps Commander House, leading to a 10-day physical remand for investigation in the May 9 cases.

The couple petitioned the IHC on July 18 against their remand in the Toshakhana case. Upon the expiry of their previous remand, they were presented for a hearing at Adiala Jail.