Islamabad:

Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Tuesday that his wife and former first lady Bushra Bibi was poisoned while incarcerated at his private residence that had been turned into a prison, stressing that if she was harmed , the Chief of Army Staff should bear responsibility.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader informed Judge Nasir Javed Rana during the trial of the £190 million Toshakana corruption case in Adiala jail that there were attempts to poison the former first lady, adding that her Marks on the skin and tongue as a side effect of “poisoning”.

The Express Tribune quoted the 71-year-old founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf as saying: “I know who is behind this.”

Imran Khan said if any harm comes to Bushra Bibi, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir should be held responsible as members of intelligence agencies control Bushra Bibi’s Banigala in Islamabad Everything from the official residence to Adiala Prison in Rawalpindi.

Imran Khan further urged the court to order Dr Asim of Shaukat Khanum Hospital to conduct a medical examination of 49-year-old Bushra Bibi, adding that he and the party did not trust the doctors who had examined her earlier.

He also urged an investigation into the alleged poisoning of Bushra Bibi.

The court directed Imran Khan to submit a detailed application regarding the medical examination of the former first lady on the request of the former prime minister.

Speaking to the media after the hearing, Bushra Bibi said rumors were circulating within the party that she was a “American agent” and that she had been poisoned by a popular toilet cleaner.

She said “three drops” of the popular toilet cleaner was added to her food and claimed a person’s health would worsen after a month of consumption.

The former first lady claimed: “I have swollen eyes, pain and discomfort in my chest and stomach, and my food and water taste bitter. Previously there was some suspicious substance mixed into the honey and now I have toilet cleaning mixed into my food. agent.”

“I was told what was being added to my food in prison. I won’t reveal any names,” she said.

Bushra Bibi told the court that she was being held decently at the Bani Gala sub-prison but added that she was not allowed to open her windows for the time being.

Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf claimed that Bushra Bibi was fed “poisonous food” during her incarceration and claimed that she had been in severe pain.

A spokesman for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf expressed concern over the “serious threat” to Bushra Bibi’s life in detention, saying in a statement: “Bushra Bibi’s health and life are at serious risk due to the denial of her constitutional rights. “The spokesperson further claimed that Bushra Bibi’s family has been barred from visiting her, a move they believe violates the constitution and prison regulations.

The statement said the restriction was part of a “deliberate plan” to cause harm to her.

In early January, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to 14 years in prison in the Toshakana corruption case for illegally selling state gifts received by the former prime minister during his tenure.

Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Department of Pakistan that stores gifts and other valuables received by officials. Officers must report all gifts they receive to the department.

Imran Khan is lodged in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi and Bushra Bibi is lodged in Imran Khan Bani Gala’s home, which was declared a sub-prison.

Regarding Bushra Bibi’s conviction, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party said she had nothing to do with the case and that her conviction was just to further pressure the former prime minister.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Barrister Gohar Khan said former Pakistan first lady Bushra Bibi was becoming a political victim.

The party quoted Imran Khan as saying: “She is in quarantine and there are serious fears that she may be poisoned. Chairman Imran Khan also expressed similar concerns about his wife’s health. Powerful people in the country will be responsible for any untoward incident Take responsibility.” in X’s post.

The cricketer-turned-politician has been convicted in at least four cases, including the password case, since being removed from office in a no-confidence motion in April 2022.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)