Rawalpindi: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday approved the bail plea of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in the Toshakhana 2.0 case. This comes just days ahead of PTI’s planned November 24 protest. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb granted the bail against two surety bonds worth Rs1 million each. Separate guarantors are required to submit the bonds. Following this decision, Khan is no longer wanted in any case within Islamabad’s jurisdiction. However, the IHC directed the former prime minister to appear before the trial court. “The bail can be cancelled if you [Imran] fail to cooperate with the trial court,” warned the court.
Read More: Pakistan’s IT Industry Faces Existential Threat Due to Internet Restrictions
Hearing Highlights
During the proceedings, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor raised concerns over media narratives. He claimed that premature reporting suggested the approval of bail before the court’s decision. Justice Aurangzeb dismissed these concerns, urging the prosecutor to focus on legal matters rather than media speculation. The judge also questioned the valuation of a jewellery set at the center of the case, asking how its worth was determined. Barrister Salman Safdar, representing Khan, argued that discrepancies existed in the receipts. He pointed out that the receipts were in the name of Bushra Bibi, Khan’s wife, not the PTI founder.
The prosecution relied heavily on the testimony of Sohaib Abbasi, a key witness who had turned approver in the case. However, the defence countered that Abbasi’s claims of threats lacked evidence of direct interaction with Khan or his wife. The court further inquired if customs officers involved in the valuation had reported any intimidation. The defence confirmed that no such claims had been made. The FIA prosecutor argued that the undervaluation of the jewellery set caused financial harm to the state. Justice Aurangzeb dismissed the argument, stating, “My wife’s things are not mine. I don’t know what year we are living in.” Barrister Safdar maintained that all gifts were acquired under the Toshakhana policy of 2018, and the valuation process followed legal protocols.y
Prosecution vs Defence
The prosecution accused Khan of delaying trial proceedings and argued that the Bulgari jewellery set was not deposited in Toshakhana. They also presented evidence of Abbasi’s apology for undervaluation, which was accepted by the NAB chairman. The defence criticized the FIA’s expedited challan submission, alleging it ignored critical investigation aspects. Justice Aurangzeb noted the three-year delay in registering the case and urged both parties to proceed with transparency.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif welcomed the decision. He claimed that all cases against Khan were politically motivated and expressed confidence in his eventual release. PTI counsel Salman Safdar stated that Khan no longer faces any pending cases requiring bail. Aleema Khan, the former prime minister’s sister, lauded Safdar’s efforts over the past two years. She expressed hope for Khan’s imminent release. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram accused the government of using fabricated cases to undermine PTI’s November 24 protest. He assured supporters that Khan would soon walk free. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) criticized the decision. They referred to Khan as a “laadla” (blue-eyed boy), accusing the judiciary of favoritism. This legal victory for Khan adds momentum to PTI’s preparations for their upcoming protest. However, the political and judicial landscape remains charged as the case unfolds further.