In a sensational turn of events on Tuesday, an anti-corruption court in Pakistan has acquitted Bushra Bibi, wife of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, from involvement in 12 cases pertaining to the 9th May last year's riots—a virtual lifeline for the former first couple.
The proceedings were held at Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, and the judge of the anti-terrorism court, Malik Ejaz Asif, sent Bibi straight to prison after the police requested her physical remand to conduct further interrogation.
The police had their request for physical remand to investigate her alleged role in the 12 cases, including an attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ), heard for long hours.
After due consideration, the court finally turned down the plea of the police and acquitted Bibi from all the cases registered against her.
Her counsel, Salman Safdar, informed the media outside the Adiala Jail that the cases against her were all fabricated on statements, which the law of the land does not support at all.
"The court has considered arguments from both sides before announcing its verdict," said Safdar.
He added that the order of the court to release Bibi might impact his cases as well, because Khan had been nominated in these cases besides several of his party's workers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
Imran Khan is 71 years old and has been in Adiala jail for more than a year after being convicted in various cases. He is accompanied by his 49-year-old wife, Bushra Bibi.
Even as Khan has been released on bail in some cases and has had certain convictions overturned, he remains imprisoned with more than 200 cases still pending against him.
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