NEW DELHI: A court in Pakistan on Wednesday approved the request of the wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan to be transferred to jail, as stated by her lawyer, rather than the house arrest mandated by the government.
Bushra Bibi filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court, alleging that her privacy was violated and contaminated food was served in her cell at home.She and her lawyers claimed that the cell was predominantly occupied by men, a claim that the prison staff has refuted.
Bibi says she has been detained in one room at Khan’s hilltop mansion in Islamabad since the couple’s January conviction on charges of illegally selling state gifts.
Bibi requested to be transferred to jail through her lawyers. The authorities complied with this request shortly after the court issued the order, as confirmed by her party and a local administration official, Afzaal Ahmad.
The court instructed the authorities to transfer her to Adyala jail in Rawalpindi, a garrison city, where Khan, who is 70 years old and a former cricket superstar, is currently serving a 14-year sentence, as stated by his party.
The party mentioned that Bibi’s transfer to jail would address critics who believed that her staying at home rather than in prison was part of a deal to gain concessions from the government.
Major General Ahmed Sharif, the spokesperson of the Pakistan army, stated on Tuesday that it is not feasible to engage in negotiations for any agreement with a group that has carried out attacks against state institutions.
He was talking about supporters of the Khan party who stormed and set fire to military installations on May 9 last year to protest against the arrest of the former cricketer, stating that those responsible for the attacks must seek forgiveness before seeking any negotiations.
Asad Qaisar, who is a close aide of Khan, mentioned to local ARY TV that there would be no possibility of offering an apology.
Khan was removed from his position in 2022. He attributed this to a conspiracy supported by the military, following his disagreements with influential army generals.
The military has rejected the accusation.
(With inputs from agencies)
Bushra Bibi filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court, alleging that her privacy was violated and contaminated food was served in her cell at home.She and her lawyers claimed that the cell was predominantly occupied by men, a claim that the prison staff has refuted.
Bibi says she has been detained in one room at Khan’s hilltop mansion in Islamabad since the couple’s January conviction on charges of illegally selling state gifts.
Bibi requested to be transferred to jail through her lawyers. The authorities complied with this request shortly after the court issued the order, as confirmed by her party and a local administration official, Afzaal Ahmad.
The court instructed the authorities to transfer her to Adyala jail in Rawalpindi, a garrison city, where Khan, who is 70 years old and a former cricket superstar, is currently serving a 14-year sentence, as stated by his party.
The party mentioned that Bibi’s transfer to jail would address critics who believed that her staying at home rather than in prison was part of a deal to gain concessions from the government.
Major General Ahmed Sharif, the spokesperson of the Pakistan army, stated on Tuesday that it is not feasible to engage in negotiations for any agreement with a group that has carried out attacks against state institutions.
He was talking about supporters of the Khan party who stormed and set fire to military installations on May 9 last year to protest against the arrest of the former cricketer, stating that those responsible for the attacks must seek forgiveness before seeking any negotiations.
Asad Qaisar, who is a close aide of Khan, mentioned to local ARY TV that there would be no possibility of offering an apology.
Khan was removed from his position in 2022. He attributed this to a conspiracy supported by the military, following his disagreements with influential army generals.
The military has rejected the accusation.
(With inputs from agencies)