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The release of Bushra Bibi came six months after an appeals court suspended a 14-year sentence the couple received after being found guilty of retaining and selling state gifts in violation of government rules
The wife of Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, was released from a high-security prison in Rawalpindi after being granted bail in a corruption case. Despite being previously sentenced, new charges were filed against Khan and Bibi in July, leading to their detention. Khan, a popular opposition leader, has faced over 150 legal cases since his ousting in 2022.
The release of Bibi has sparked renewed interest, especially after U.S. Congressmen wrote to President Joe Biden urging for the release of political prisoners in Pakistan. Khan’s party won the most seats in parliamentary elections but fell short of a majority, leading to coalition formation. These recent developments highlight the political turmoil in Pakistan and the ongoing legal battles faced by its prominent leaders.
As Khan’s legal team seeks bail in the same corruption case, Bibi’s release signifies a new chapter in their legal saga. The international community’s interest in Pakistan’s political landscape further complicates the situation, raising questions about the country’s governance and the future of its prominent figures.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)