According to the party members of PTI and the lawyers of Imran Khan, the court acquitted the unlawful marriage case of Khan and Bushra Bibi.
Imran Khan and Bushra Khan were sentenced to seven years in prison in February 2024. The court ruled that their marriage, conducted in 2018, was illegal under Islamic law as Bushra allegedly did not complete her waiting period (iddat) following her divorce from her previous husband. This period is a mandatory time frame in Islamic law before a divorced woman can remarry.
The district and sessions court accepted the appeals filed by Imran Khan and Bushra Khan, suspending the earlier ruling that convicted them. The court’s decision effectively overturned their seven-year sentences and called for their immediate release from custody. This decision was the last hurdle in keeping Imran Khan in prison, as other cases against him had been suspended or resulted in acquittals.
This ruling is seen as a victory for Khan and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). It marks a crucial moment in Khan’s legal battles and could have significant political implications, especially in the context of Pakistan’s volatile political environment and upcoming elections.
The reaction to the court’s decision has been mixed. Khan’s supporters celebrated the ruling, seeing it as a vindication of their leader. On the other hand, critics remain skeptical and view the legal processes surrounding Khan as deeply politicized. The ruling has further intensified the political discourse in Pakistan, with potential ramifications for the country’s political stability.