The Federal Investigation Agency challenged the post-arrest bail of Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi in the Supreme Court on Saturday over the new Toshakhana reference.

Bibi was released on October 24 from the Adiala Jail following the Islamabad High Court granted bail to her in the new Toshakhana case. Special Judge (central) Shahrukh Arjumand had issued the release orders after her lawyers submitted a surety bond worth Rs1 million to the court.

A faith healer who has rarely been seen in public, Bibi wedded Khan shortly before he was elected in 2018 after becoming his spiritual guide.

She was arrested on January 31 – one week before Pakistan went to the polls. The charges against her in the illegal marriage case sparked uproar both among PTI supporters and wider society.

The petition contends that the bail approval was “illegal and contradicted” the record. It argues that the principles of post-arrest bail were not “properly considered” and the Islamabad High Court “did not fully understand the case” against the former first lady.

The FIA alleged that Bibi misused a state gift, specifically a Bulgari jewellery set, in collusion with her husband. It contended that her husband’s abuse of power has resulted in a loss to the national treasury.

The agency has further argued in its petition that the IHC “overlooked” key evidence presented against Bibi. The court granted bail while ignoring incriminating evidence available on the record, it claimed.

The FIA has requested that the Supreme Court nullify the Islamabad High Court’s bail approval decision made on October 23. The agency also urged that Bibi’s post-arrest bail be revoked and that orders for her arrest be issued instead.

Earlier this week, an accountability court in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail indicated the potential cancellation of bail of Bibi in the £190 million reference after she and her lawyer failed to appear in court.

Some of the analysts and ministers believe that the release of Khan’s wife and sisters was part of some deal.

“The release of Begum Sahiba and her journey to Peshawar is not a routine affair,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in a social media post on Tuesday. He claimed that all such developments occurred with the consent of the PTI founder.

Independent senator Faisal Vawda clarified that he has not used the word “deal” while speaking about Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi’s release.

“If it was not a deal, then why Bani Gala was being painted and decorated for the past one week,” he said in an interview with Aaj News and claimed that Bibi’s decision to travel to Peshawar was taken in fear of alleged bugging by a spy agency.

Columnist Javed Chaudhry was also wary of the release of Khan’s wife. While referring to conspiracy theories, he questioned how former first lady Bibi got bail and easily went to Peshawar without any new case or arrest.