IHC reserves verdict on plea seeking Bushra Bibi’s transfer to Adiala jail

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved its verdict for the transfer of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi from Bani Gala Jail to Adiala Jail.
Usman Gul, the first lady’s former lawyer, gave evidence to the court and said that the process of declaring a stay in prison was completed in a few hours.
According to the court, the jail was overcrowded and could not accommodate Bushra. Apparently, it was decided that Bani Kala should be taken.
Justice Aurangzeb asked many questions to declare Bani Kala as a prison and asked the state counsel that the notification be prepared in minutes.
“Don’t you feel that the relocation of Bushra Bibi (home) has been decided? After sending Bushra Bibi home, how many women were brought to Adiala Jail? asked.
The IHC judge asked whether the 141 women taken to prison had fewer rights. “Why didn’t you send the other women home too?” asked.
Responding to the judge, the government lawyer said that Bushra was transferred to Bani Kala to threaten him in prison.
Justice Aurangzeb said he would be happy if the “party” stopped at his house and asked how a prisoner’s property could become a prison without permission.
Bushra was placed under house arrest at his residence in Bani Qala on January 31 after being accused in the infamous Toshakhana case. Authorities say the Bani Gala facility is a “mini-prison” to house ex-mothers at the request of Adiala Prison supervisors.
On February 6, Bushra protested the authorities’ decision to imprison Bani Qala for 14 years in the case.
In the plea, the lady’s wife said she was ready and willing to serve her sentence “in regular jails in Adiala Jail and not in the mini-jail announced in her residence,” like other party politicians.
In addition, the former first lady felt it was “unsafe” to be held in solitary confinement due to security threats.
The wife of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder said the “special treatment” given to her was against the spirit of equality guaranteed in the Constitution and amounted to discrimination.
Looking at the reasons given, the petitioner asked the court to quash the notification declaring his house as a sub-jail and transfer him to Adiala Jail in the “interest of justice”.