An Islamabad district and sessions court on Thursday granted bail to Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, in cases related to last month’s violent protest staged by the party.

On Nov 13, Imran issued a “final call” for nationwide protests on Nov 24, demanding the restoration of the PTI’s electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th Amendment which he said had strengthened a “dictatorial regime”.

A day of pitched battles between security forces and PTI protesters across the federal capital ended in a hasty retreat of the party’s top leadership and supporters from the Red Zone in the early hours of Nov 27.

At least six lives were lost in the three days of protests, which included a policeman and three Rangers officials who were knocked down by a speeding vehicle, officials and hospital sources said. Claims and counter-claims over deaths purportedly caused by law-enforcement action against the PTI marchers remain a major bone of contention between the government and the opposition party.

On December 2, an Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran, Bushra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and 93 others in a case related to the protests.

On Dec 13, a journalist associated with a foreign media organisation got a case registered against Gandapur and Bushra and other leaders of the party.

A week later, the PTI leadership, including Imran, Bushra and Gandapur were booked on a murder charge after an official of Rangers succumbed to his injury sustained during last month’s violent protest staged by the party.

On Thursday, district and sessions court judge Shabbir Bhatti heard the interim bail applications filed by Bushra in the Nov 26 protest cases.

He granted her interim bail till January 13 against bonds of Rs50,000.

Bushra appeared in the courtroom along with her lawyers. One case against her was registered at the Tarnol police station, while three cases were registered at the Ramna police station.

Opinion

Editorial

Mineral wealth
Updated 10 Apr, 2025

Mineral wealth

The Baloch unrest is partly the result of the belief that the province’s resources are being used for the rest of the country rather than for Balochistan’s economic development.
Senate shortfalls
10 Apr, 2025

Senate shortfalls

THE latest Citizens’ Report by Pildat on the performance of the Senate of Pakistan is a sobering account of...
Crypto coup
10 Apr, 2025

Crypto coup

IT is quite the coup. One of the most recognisable names in the global cryptocurrency market has been roped in by ...
Following through
Updated 09 Apr, 2025

Following through

Reconciliation, development, and deradicalisation initiatives cannot remain dormant words in a policy document.
Robe rebellion
09 Apr, 2025

Robe rebellion

THE unrest within the Islamabad High Court shows no sign of abating, and it is perhaps just as well that the ...
Fearing birth
09 Apr, 2025

Fearing birth

AMID dramatic aid cuts, the WHO has sounded the alarm about the dangers to Pakistan’s mothers and newborns, asking...