LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday granted post-arrest bail to Khawar Maneka, former husband of PTI chairman Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, in a case of allegedly grabbing Auqaf department’s land in Haveli Lakha.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi allowed the bail petition of Mr Maneka and directed him to furnish surety bonds worth Rs100,000.

A counsel for Mr Maneka argued that the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) implicated the petitioner in the case only for political reasons.

He said the petitioner did not commit any illegal act and asked the court to release his client on bail.

The trial court had denied bail to Maneka in the land grabbing case.

ACE Okara circle registered a case against Mr Maneka and his two sons, Ibrahim and Musa, under sections 409, 420, 468, and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with section 5/2/47 of the Prohibition of Corruption Act.

It accused the Manekas of constructing shops and a wedding lawn on the illegally occupied piece of land belonging to the Auqaf department.

The ACE said 26 shopkeepers had given a written statement that Khawar Maneka, his accountant and his sons, have been receiving rent for the shops from them for the last five to six years.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2023