An Islamabad district and sessions court on Thursday dismissed appeals to suspend the sentences of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the iddat case.
The PTI criticized the decision, describing it as “absolutely ridiculous,” its leaders organized a protest outside Adiala Jail, where the court sessions were held for security reasons.
Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka delivered the decision, which has been pending since Tuesday. A further hearing to consider the annulment of their conviction is scheduled for July 2.
Earlier in February, the couple was sentenced to seven years each after being found guilty of entering into a marriage during Bushra’s legally mandated iddat period following her divorce from Khawar Maneka.
The controversy began when Muhammad Hanif alleged that Bushra married Khan in January 2018 before her iddat period had concluded after her divorce in November 2017, a practice considered contrary to Sharia and Muslim norms.
Initially, a district and sessions court deemed the petition against the marriage objectionable, and the petitioner withdrew his plea. However, Khawar Maneka later complained about the marriage, describing it as “un-Islamic,” which led to the couple’s indictment on January 16, 2024.
After a 14-hour session at Adiala Jail, the trial court reserved its judgment on February 2 and sentenced Imran and Bushra to seven years imprisonment the next day.
Previously, the case was overseen by Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, who was removed after Maneka expressed a lack of confidence in him, prompting the transfer of the case to Judge Majoka by the Islamabad High Court.
