Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to seven years in prison by District and Sessions Courts Islamabad Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah in the nikah case.
This marks the third conviction for Imran Khan within the past four days.
Background
The case originated on November 25, 2023, when Bushra Bibi's ex-husband, Khawar Manika, filed a complaint in the Civil Court of the Sessions Court of Islamabad. Khawar Manika alleged that Bushra Bibi had married Imran Khan during Iddat, violating the Iddat period.
The complaint included various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, seeking severe punishment for both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Allegations by Khawar Maneka
Khawar Maneka's written statement claimed that Bushra Bibi was introduced to Imran Khan by her sister Maryam during a sit-in in Islamabad.
He further accused Imran Khan of repeatedly entering his house in his absence, leading to a confrontation where he allegedly expelled Imran Khan from the premises. Khawar Manika also claimed that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi maintained contact through telephone conversations facilitated by Bushra Bibi's friend, Farah Gogi.
Also Read: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 7 years in jail, nikah declared anti-Shariah
Khawar Maneka contended that after divorcing Bushra Bibi on November 14, 2017, due to the alleged relationship with Imran Khan, the two remarried in February 2018 through Mufti Saeed, a move deemed illegal under Section 496/496B of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Legal proceedings
The local court of Islamabad initially declared Khawar Manika's case admissible on December 11, 2023. The case's first hearing occurred on January 16, 2024, within Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan denied the charges while signing the charge sheet. Bushra Bibi's absence during the hearing drew the court's displeasure, leading to inquiries about her presence.
On January 15, Bushra Bibi challenged the case in the Islamabad High Court, which subsequently issued a notice to Khawar Manika on January 19, restraining the District and Sessions Court from recording witness statements. The case was adjourned until January 29 after considering the Islamabad High Court's injunction.
Islamabad High Court hearing
On January 25, the Islamabad High Court extended the injunction on the trial until January 31. Imran Khan's lawyer argued that the case aimed to defame his client for political purposes, while Khawar Manika's lawyer questioned the validity of the second marriage if the first one was still valid
On January 31, Chief Justice Amir Farooq heard the case. Imran Khan's lawyer argued that the case aimed to defame his client for political purposes, while Khawar Manika's lawyer questioned the validity of the second marriage if the first one was still valid. The court reserved judgment after completing arguments from both parties.
The legal proceedings concluded with a shocking seven-year prison sentence for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The case, centered around the alleged violation of Iddat rules, has stirred public interest and prompted discussions on the intersection of personal life, politics, and the legal system in Pakistan.
