A Pakistani court has rejected the bail application of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a corruption case, their lawyer confirmed on Monday. The ruling adds to Khan's legal challenges, as he remains imprisoned following his removal from office in 2022.
Khan, who faces over 150 legal cases, was ousted through a no-confidence vote and claims his removal was orchestrated by the military and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a U.S.-backed conspiracy—allegations both deny.
The corruption charges, introduced in July, accuse Khan and his wife of selling state gifts received during his tenure without declaring the sales. While officials are permitted to purchase gifts, Pakistani law requires disclosure of any profits from their sale. Khan is accused of undervaluing the proceeds.
The court delivered the ruling at Adiala Prison, where both Khan and Bushra Bibi are held in separate cells. Their lawyer, Intizar Hussain Panjutha, expressed disappointment at the denial of bail.
The couple is expected to be formally charged on October 2.
Khan's spokesman, Zulfiqar Bukhari, has accused prison authorities of mistreating Bushra Bibi, claiming that guards stormed her cell at night, forced her to remove her hijab, and threw water on her mattress. Authorities have not commented on these allegations.
In a related development, several prison officials were dismissed for allegedly violating prison rules to assist Khan, although details remain unclear.
Khan, who faces over 150 legal cases, was ousted through a no-confidence vote and claims his removal was orchestrated by the military and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a U.S.-backed conspiracy—allegations both deny.
The corruption charges, introduced in July, accuse Khan and his wife of selling state gifts received during his tenure without declaring the sales. While officials are permitted to purchase gifts, Pakistani law requires disclosure of any profits from their sale. Khan is accused of undervaluing the proceeds.
The court delivered the ruling at Adiala Prison, where both Khan and Bushra Bibi are held in separate cells. Their lawyer, Intizar Hussain Panjutha, expressed disappointment at the denial of bail.
The couple is expected to be formally charged on October 2.
Khan's spokesman, Zulfiqar Bukhari, has accused prison authorities of mistreating Bushra Bibi, claiming that guards stormed her cell at night, forced her to remove her hijab, and threw water on her mattress. Authorities have not commented on these allegations.
In a related development, several prison officials were dismissed for allegedly violating prison rules to assist Khan, although details remain unclear.
