The Islamabad High Court (IHC) accepted Sessions Court Judge Shahrukh Arjumand’s request on Monday to transfer the Iddat case to another court.
On May 29, Judge Arjumand wrote to the IHC registrar after the complainant, Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s former husband, expressed no confidence in him. This was the second time Maneka had shown no trust in the judge, making it inappropriate for him to decide the matter. Arjumand requested that the case be transferred.
Judge Arjumand noted that Maneka and his lawyer had previously attempted to stall the hearings. He suggested setting a time frame for completing the case.
During a tumultuous hearing, Maneka verbally attacked Imran, infuriating PTI supporters, including lawyers, who then assaulted Maneka inside and outside the courtroom.
On February 3, Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to seven years imprisonment in the “un-Islamic” marriage case. This case was filed by Bibi’s first husband, Khawar Maneka, who accused the couple of marrying while the former first lady was in the Iddat period.
Following a frenzied courtroom hearing, PTI lawmakers termed the events delaying the case’s reserved verdict a “pre-planned” strategy.
An appellate court reserved its decision on the appeals filed by Imran and Bushra against their conviction in the Iddat period marriage case on May 23. The court announced that it would unveil the verdict on May 29.
