Health woes have taken center stage in the legal troubles of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan’s spouse, Bushra Bibi. She has approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) requesting suspension of her Al-Qadir Trust conviction sentence, pointing to recent eye surgery as evidence of her fragile condition.
According to details emerging from the petition filed last week, Bushra underwent a critical retina procedure at Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi. Performed by renowned specialist Dr. Nadeem Qureshi, the surgery necessitated a brief hospital stay before her return to Adiala Jail. Jail authorities confirmed the transfer was temporary, with ongoing medical evaluations advised.
The application, lodged by advocate Salman Safdar, paints a picture of inadequate care in custody. It calls for summoning hospital and jail officials to present full documentation, including pre- and post-op records. Concerns are raised over the secretive nature of the operation—no prior notice to family or legal team, no consultation on her declining health.
This comes as the IHC division bench, headed by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar, prepares to reconvene on April 22 for arguments on suspending sentences for both Bushra and Imran Khan. Her seven-year term stems from the Al-Qadir Trust scandal, with the appeal pending for over a year amid claims of judicial delays and restricted access to counsel.
‘Continued incarceration serves no purpose and inflicts irreparable harm,’ the filing asserts, emphasizing the surgery as a red flag. Family was abruptly informed post-procedure, fueling allegations of opacity in handling her medical needs. The plea seeks her shift to the hospital for continuous monitoring and guarantees unhindered family visits.
As PTI rallies behind its founders, this development underscores the human cost of Pakistan’s polarized politics. Courts now face pressure to balance justice with humanitarian considerations in one of the nation’s most watched cases.
