ATC permits Bushra Bibi to 'consult Imran Khan' in PTI protests cases

• Police officials pose questions to former first lady about protests. 
• She refuses to become part of investigation before meeting ex-PM.
• Bushra pleads she should be probed in Imran's presence. 

RAWALPINDI: Upon former first lady Bushra Bibi’s refusal to record her statement in the cases pertaining to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) demonstrations without consulting PTI founder Imran Khan and her lawyer, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) of Rawalpindi ordered the authorities on Saturday to grant her permission to meet her incarcerated husband in the Adiala jail.

Police had brought Bushra before judge Amjad Ali Shah in the 31 cases lodged following the November 26 demonstrations in Islamabad. She pleaded the court that she would like to meet with Imran and her attorney, Salman Safdar, before participating in the probe, The News reported.

The cases against Imran’s wife were registered at various police stations across Rawalpindi, Attock, and Chakwal.

She said she could join the investigation even the same day if she was allowed to meet her husband. She also submitted an application demanding that she should be investigated in the presence of the former prime minister.

The court, in line with the standard operating procedures (SOPs), directed the authorities concerned to allow Bushra to meet Imran in prison and adjourned the hearing till March 7.

Police teams had arrived at Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where Bushra is currently held, to include her in the investigation.

The team of investigative officers, including inspectors Afzal, Yaqub Shah, Rashid Kiyani, and others, questioned Bushra in the administrative block of the jail. However, Imran’s wife made it clear that she would not respond to the police inquiry until she consulted her spouse and lawyer. She stated that she required approval from them before she could provide a formal statement.

The former first lady, along with the PTI founding chairman and the party's central leadership including Ali Amin Gandapur, Salman Akram Raja and Sheikh Waqas Akram, was booked in various cases in the aftermath of November 2024’s "final call" protest, which came to an end following a strict government crackdown.

The couple, along with PTI leadership, were later also booked in a "triple murder case" over the death of three Rangers personnel who died during the opposition party's "do-or-die" protest after being allegedly run over by a vehicle.

Bushra and her husband have been embroiled in a plethora of legal cases for months.