RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Government authorities again maintained a tight veil of discretion Wednesday/Thursday night as Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) incarcerated founder chairman Imran Khan, was transported from Adiala Jail to a private hospital for a medical examination.
The move, executed under heavy security, has reignited concerns regarding the “secrecy” surrounding her health and the state’s refusal to grant transparent access to her family and personal physicians.
Multiple media reports confirmed that the former first lady was shifted to the Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital for a follow-up assessment following her retinal surgery on April 17. Despite the medical necessity of the visit, the quick transfer back to Adiala Jail immediately after the check-up has done little to ease the ongoing legal friction between the Islamabad High Court (IHC) and prison administration.
It is pertinent to recall that just yesterday, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir of the IHC had signaled growing frustration over the government’s handling of the case, with court proceedings highlighting a pattern of non-disclosure and administrative stalling:
The court has repeatedly summoned the Superintendent of Adiala Jail, Sajid Baig, to explain the lack of medical transparency and the denial of family visitations. His continued absence from court led Justice Tahir to warn that a warrant of arrest would be issued if he failed to appear at the next hearing.
On this, defense counsel Salman Akram Raja argued that the government has effectively isolated Bushra Bibi, noting that no family meetings have been permitted since late February. The defense maintains that reports of “black spots and blurring vision” necessitate an independent medical evaluation, which the state has so far resisted.
Representing the state, the Advocate General of Islamabad insisted that “no emergency” exists and that all procedures are being handled according to the jail manual. However, the IHC has demanded a comprehensive report on her medical status and visitation logs to verify these claims.
The current medical controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the Toshakhana-II case, where both Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan were sentenced to 17 years in prison in late 2025. Allegations in the case involve the illegal retention of a high-value Bulgari jewelry set.
While the government continues to treat the matter as a routine administrative issue, the “secrecy” regarding her specific condition remains a focal point of criticism. The IHC has adjourned the hearing until Tuesday, placing the burden of proof on jail authorities to demonstrate that the former first lady’s legal and health rights are being upheld.
