Non-bailable Warrants Issued for Former First Lady After Repeated Court Absences in £19 Million Corruption Case
AB News, Islamabad: Pakistani authorities are escalating their efforts to arrest Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, following her repeated absence from court hearings in connection with a high-profile corruption case. The case involves alleged misuse of £19 million (50 billion Pakistani Rupees) linked to a property deal with a British businessman.
According to Express Tribune, the accountability court issued non-bailable warrants for Bushra Bibi after she missed eight consecutive hearings, despite being ordered to appear before the court. On November 22, Judge Nasir Javed Rana rejected her request for exemption from appearing in court.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Searches for Bushra Bibi
Following the court’s decision, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) instructed its team in Rawalpindi to arrest Bushra Bibi, who is currently residing in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is in power. On November 23, a NAB team, along with the police, traveled to Peshawar in search of Bibi, but returned empty-handed. Authorities revealed that when the team presented an arrest warrant at her residence, they discovered she was not home.
Allegations Against Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan
Both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are accused of involvement in the misuse of £19 million (50 billion Pakistani Rupees) returned to Pakistan under an agreement with a British property businessman. The funds, intended for the national treasury, were allegedly used for the personal benefit of the businessman, who helped the couple establish a university. Bushra Bibi, as a trustee of the Al-Qadir Trust, is accused of benefiting from this arrangement. Additionally, she faces charges related to the acquisition of 458 kanals of land in Jhelum for the Al-Qadir University.
As the investigation continues, the pressure on Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan intensifies, further complicating the political and legal challenges facing the former prime minister.
