Pakistan's jailed ex-PM Khan, wife face fresh legal hurdles

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, encountered fresh legal hurdles on Friday as an accountability court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Bushra in the £190 million corruption case.

At the same time, Punjab Police designated Khan’s cell in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail as a “temporary police station".

Khan, 71, has been in custody since August 2023 and denies any wrongdoing. He claims the numerous cases against him, filed since his ouster in 2022, are politically motivated to keep him behind bars—a charge Pakistani authorities deny.

Despite securing bail earlier this week in the Toshakhana 2 case from the Islamabad High Court, Khan remains imprisoned due to other pending cases, including those tied to the May 9 unrest.

Court proceedings at Adiala Jail

Accountability court proceedings, presided over by Judge Nasir Javed Rana, were held inside Adiala Jail. Bushra Bibi, citing medical reasons, did not appear in court, but her plea for exemption was rejected.

Bushra Bibi's legal team had requested an exemption during the previous hearing on November 19, which the court granted.

During the hearing held on Friday, the judge issued arrest warrants over her repeated absences and directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to ensure her appearance at the next hearing on November 26.

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NAB Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi and his legal team attended the proceedings, while Khalid Yousaf Chaudhry represented both Khan and Bushra Bibi.

Meanwhile, a special court issued release orders for Khan in the Toshakhana 2 case. However, his detention continues as an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi granted a five-day physical remand in a separate terrorism case.

Special Judge Central Shahrukh Arjumand authorized Khan’s release, pending completion of formalities, if no other cases warranted his custody. Still, the remand in the terrorism case ensures his continued imprisonment.

'Temporary police station'

Moreover, Rawalpindi police formally declared Khan’s cell in Adiala Jail as “temporary police station". This designation permits New Town Police Station officials to conduct investigation within the jail premises.

Separately, the Islamabad High Court resolved a contempt case against Adiala Jail officials for allegedly preventing PTI leaders from meeting Khan despite prior court orders.

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Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan issued a stern warning, stating that systematic violations undermine judicial credibility.

The court dismissed the case after officials pledged compliance but cautioned against future infractions.

Mounting political tensions

The legal troubles for Khan and his wife come amid rising political tensions. Authorities in Islamabad have extended Section 144—a colonial-era law banning public gatherings of five or more people—for two months.

The measure, which particularly affects the Red Zone housing key government and diplomatic sites, comes in response to PTI’s call for nationwide protests scheduled for November 24.

The next hearing in the £190 million corruption case is set for November 26.