An accountability court in Islamabad granted interim bail on Tuesday to Bushra Bibi, the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan, in a graft case.
Judge Muhammad Ali Warraich heard the former first lady’s pre-arrest bail application in the £190 million case at the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi.
Khan, in jail since last August, was convicted in some cases ahead of February’s general election, but a UN human rights working group said on Monday his arbitrary imprisonment violated international law.
Both Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, deny wrongdoing in the case against them regarding the alleged receipt of financial help from a land developer in setting up an educational institution.
At the hearing, Deputy Prosecutor General Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi contended that Bibi’s arrest was not required and the National Accountability Bureau chairman did not issue her warrants.
The bail application was ineffective since the arrest warrants were not issued, he said and added that they had the same stance 10 months ago.
The court adjourned further hearing of the case till July 5.
The defence counsel completed the cross-examination of three prosecution witnesses. In total, the cross-examination of 27 witnesses in the reference has been completed.
However, his spouse will stay in prison as she is also serving a sentence after her marriage to Khan was ruled unlawful.
Khan and his party say the charges were politically motivated to thwart his return to power.
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In recent months, Pakistani courts have suspended Khan’s jail sentences for two cases about the illegal acquisition and sale of state gifts, while overturning his conviction on charges of leaking state secrets.
The former cricket superstar is fighting dozens of other cases that continue.
With input from Reuters
