Plea for transfer to Adiala jail: No-show by Bushra Bibi’s lawyer irks IHC judge

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court adjourned the hearing of a plea regarding the transfer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi from the Bani Gala sub jail to the Adiala prison without any proceeding till May 2.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb took exception to the non-appearance of Bushra Bibi’s counsel in the hearing and observed that both sides were playing politics with the court.

The court giving the last chance to the counsel directed him to argue the case. It observed that non-appearance before the high court due to engagement in the other case at a district court is not a reasonable ground for an adjournment.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb heard the application with regard to the transfer of Bushra Bibi from the Bani Gala sub jail to the Central Prison Adiala.

The applicant’s counsel Usman Riaz Gill did not appear before the court. The government law officer told the court that further time be granted to both parties as both sides were engaged in negotiations and it was expected that they would reach an agreement.

The court inquired the counsel what the agreement was. The counsel replied that both parties were working on reasonable arrangements which had not yet been finalised; therefore, details of the arrangements could not be disclosed.

The court addressed the state counsel and observed that it was very concerned about the pending case, as they first filed writ before the court and when they saw that they were going to get relief, they started playing games. The court observed that the government side was also doing the same.

Khalid Chaudhry advocate told the bench that the applicant’s counsel Usman Gill was appearing before the sessions court in the Iddat case and sought adjournment. The court observed that this is not a ground to seek adjournment from the court and adjourned the hearing.

In another matter, the Islamabad High Court has been informed that Bushra Bibi’s check-up and medical tests have been conducted at a private hospital according to which she is perfectly fine and no effects of poison have been found in the reports.

The court after taking the reports on record disposed of the application with regard to the medical check-up and medical tests of Bushra Bibi from a private hospital.

Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard Bushra Bibi’s application in which she requested a medical examination from a private hospital and a medical test from a private lab due to the fear of food poisoning during judicial custody.

The court inquired whether medical tests on Bushra Bibi had been conducted. State counsel Abdul Rahman said the tests had been conducted at the Shifa International Hospital under the supervision of Dr Asim Yusuf.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb also inquired about the status of Bushra Bibi’s health in view of the medical test report and alleged presence of poisonous substance. The state counsel said that the applicant’s reports were fine and there were no effects of the poison on her health. The lawyer pleaded that Bushra Bibi herself wants to appear in the court and give a brief. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb remarked that nothing was found in the reports and disposed of the application.