PTI founder Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to seven-year imprisonment in ‘unlawful’ marriage case

RAWALPINDI, Feb 03 (SABAH): The court sentenced Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former premier Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi to seven years imprisonment each on Saturday in the ‘un-Islamic’ marriage case. A fine of Rs0.5 million each was also imposed on the ex-premier and his wife.

This is the third sentencing for the PTI leader over the last five days. The former premier was earlier this week sentenced to 10-year imprisonment in the cypher case, and 14-year imprisonment in the Toshakhana case.

The verdict in the ‘un-Islamic’ marriage case was reserved by the court Saturday night after a lengthy 14-hour hearing concluded.

The hearing was conducted within the premises of Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, and was presided over by Islamabad’s Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah.

The case, filed by Bushra Bibi’s first husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka, alleges that Bushra Bibi violated the Islamic practice of observing the mandatory pause, or Iddat, between two marriages. Furthermore, Maneka accused his ex-wife and Imran Khan of having an adulterous relationship before their marriage.

Earlier, the cross-examination of the four prosecution witnesses, including Maneka, Aun Saqlain Chaudhry, Nikah Khawan Mufti Saeed Khan, and Maneka’s employee Latif, was completed. The defence was led by Advocate Salman Akram Raja for Imran Khan and Advocate Osman Riaz Gul for Bushra Bibi.

Imran Khan and Bushra submitted a joint statement of 342, answering 13 questions. In her statement, Bushra declared the divorce certificate of November 14, 2017, as fabricated, claiming she completed her mandatory iddat period from April to August 2017 after receiving a verbal triple talaq from Maneka in April 2017.

The court rejected the defence’s request to produce additional witnesses. A plea of acquittal under Section 249-A and jurisdictional pleas under Section 179 were also rejected.

During the hearing on February 1, Maneka made serious accusations against Imran, claiming the illicit relationship began during the 2014 sit-in and accusing the PTI founder of ruining his family. Imran challenged Maneka to take an oath on the Holy Quran.

Maneka also spoke to reporters, revealing the impact on his family, stating that one daughter faced divorce, and one son entered a rehabilitation centre due to the alleged affair.

Bushra Bibi, speaking for the first time in Adiala Jail, portrayed herself as a victim of a plot to humiliate her. She vowed not to succumb to pressure, labelled the accusations as an attempt to weaken Imran and the PTI, and emphasised her determination to stand firm.

Following his conviction in Iddat case, PTI founder Imran Khan told court reporters that the case against him was created to “humiliate and disgrace” both him and his spouse, Bushra Bibi.

“This marks the first instance in history where a case related to Iddat has been initiated,” he said.

Imran said it was also the first time that someone was sentenced 14 years imprisonment in a Toshakhana case.

Maneka, in his petition, had termed Bushra and Khan’s nikkah “fraudulent” contending that the marriage was solemnised during her iddat — following her divorce with him.

“That above said nikah and the marriage ceremony was neither legal nor Islamic as it was solemnised without observing iddah period,” read the petition.

He also accused the former prime minister of ruining his entire life with the petition stating that the PTI top leader “stigmatised the complainant and his family just to achieve his unethical and immoral objects through intrusion in the complainant’s peaceful marital life”.

“In light of the above, it is humbly prayed that respondents No.1 [Imran Khan] and 2 [Bushra Bibi] be summoned and punished strictly in accordance with law in the interest of justice,” Maneka prayed to the court.