Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are covered with a white sheet as they arrive to appear at the High Court in Lahore, Pakistan, May 15, 2023. Photograph:( Reuters )
The former first lady was released from the Adiala jail under tight security in Pakistan's Rawalpindi, where Imran Khan is also incarcerated along with his sisters.
Bushra Bibi, wife of imprisoned former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, has been released from the Adiala Jail in a recent Toshakhana case, ending her nine months of detention, local media ARY News reported.
The former first lady was released from the jail under tight security in Pakistan's Rawalpindi where Imran Khan is also incarcerated along with his sisters.
This comes a day after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted her bail against surety bonds worth Rs 1 million in the new Toshakhana case.
Also read: Pakistan court grants bail to Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi in Toshakhana case
Despite getting bail on Wednesday, she remained behind bars due to the absence of a judge to sign the release order, reported Geo News.
Since Imran Khan is still in prison, Bushra Bibi's release becomes significant as she will be now on the deciding position for top leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
She has spent a total of nine months out of 14 years of imprisonment as per the sentence announced on January 31 this year.
The Islamabad High Court suspended her sentence in the Toshakhana case, after which she was re-arrested in the recent Toshakhana case.
Imran Khan's party PTI welcomed the former first lady after she was freed, saying, "Welcome back Bushra Bibi!”
“You have faced extremely difficult times, disgusting campaigns and character assassination attempts against you during your illegal time in jail. The Pakistani nation salutes your bravery!,” the party said on X.
Welcome back Bushra Bibi!
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 24, 2024
You have faced extremely difficult times, disgusting campaign and character assassination attempts against your during your illegal time in jail. The Pakistani Nation salutes your bravery! pic.twitter.com/BO1gyMDKoH
PTI Chairman Gohar Khan, while speaking outside the Adiala Jail, said that Bushra Bibi had "endured jail for nine months in extreme conditions with a lot of courage”.
He said that despite all the hardships, Bushra had stood by Imran’s vision, adding that he was hopeful of Imran’s release soon.
(With inputs from agencies)