The Peshawar High Court on Wednesday granted interim bail to Bushra Bibi, wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, until December 23.
The court’s decision came after hearing her request for corridor bail to manage appearances in multiple legal cases filed against her.
Justice Waqar Ahmed led the proceedings, with Bushra Bibi represented by her lawyer, Alam Khan Adeen Zai. During the hearing, Zai informed the court that his client faced charges in 27 different cases and required bail to ensure she could attend the necessary court hearings.
In response, the Additional Attorney General requested the court to ensure that Bushra Bibi appears before the relevant courts as per legal requirements. Granting the interim bail, Justice Ahmed emphasized that the relief was provided to facilitate her appearances and instructed her to comply with all scheduled court dates.
Bushra Bibi’s lawyer sought additional time, citing the extensive number of cases—over 50—that she needs to address. However, the judge declined the request, pointing to the upcoming winter holidays and maintaining the December 23 deadline.
This legal relief follows a recent escalation in Bushra Bibi’s legal troubles. On Monday, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants for her, Imran Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and 93 other PTI leaders.
The warrants were connected to allegations of violence, rioting, and public disorder during PTI protests in Islamabad.
The protests were triggered by Imran Khan’s call for nationwide demonstrations on November 24, demanding the restoration of PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment, which he claimed was consolidating authoritarian control.
The protests, which lasted for three days, culminated in clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, particularly around the Red Zone in Islamabad.
The demonstrations resulted in 6 fatalities, including a police officer and three Rangers officials who were reportedly struck by a speeding vehicle. Both PTI and government officials have offered conflicting accounts of the deaths, with each side accusing the other of excessive force and responsibility for the casualties.
Imran Khan, who has been held in Adiala Jail since last year, is facing numerous legal challenges and awaiting decisions on multiple bail applications. The ongoing legal cases against the PTI leadership reflect the growing tension between the party and the current government, as political unrest continues to escalate in Pakistan.
