Bushra Bibi refuses to cooperate in November 26 protest cases

RAWALPINDI: Bushra Bibi, former first lady and spouse of PTI founder Imran Khan, refused to answer police questions during an investigation into 20 cases related to the November 26 protest.

On Saturday, police teams arrived at Adiala Jail to formally include Bushra Bibi in the investigation of these cases.

A team of 20 investigation officers from Rawalpindi Police questioned Bushra Bibi in Adiala Jail’s admin block.

Section 144 imposed across Punjab, Balochistan

 However, she made her responses conditional on consulting PTI founder and her lawyer before answering.

Bushra Bibi refused to give a statement during the initial police interrogation.

Later, during a court hearing of 31 cases registered after November 26, Bushra Bibi was presented before Judge Amjad Ali Shah at Adiala Jail.

She told the court that before cooperating with the investigation, she needed to consult PTI founder and her lawyer Salman Safdar. She expressed willingness to record her statement after consultation and requested a meeting with them the same day.

Bushra Bibi also requested the court to allow her to be investigated in the presence of PTI founder.

The court, following SOPs, ordered that she be allowed to meet PTI founder and her lawyer. The hearing was then adjourned until March 7.

On Friday, Bushra Bibi filed a pre-arrest bail petition in another case related to the November 26 protests.

The court instructed the investigating officer to visit Adiala Jail, where she is currently detained, and formally include her in the investigation. A report on the matter is to be submitted by February 17.

The case was filed under the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024, citing a violation of Islamabad High Court’s directives.

If found guilty, she could face up to three years in prison.