A district and sessions court on Saturday accepted appeals filed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Khan to suspend a ruling that they had violated the country’s marriage law and ordered their immediate release from prison, according to the ex-premier’s party.
Another Prosecution Failed and Malafide Exposed.
Iddat & Nikah Honourable Acquittal for Imran Khan & Bushra Bibi.
Judge M Majooka Quashed Convictions.
— Barrister Salman Safdar (@BrSalmanSafdar) July 13, 2024
The Khans were sentenced to seven years in prison and fined in February after a court ruled their 2018 marriage violated the law. Bushra was accused of not completing the mandated Islamic waiting period, or “Iddat,” after divorcing her previous husband before marrying Khan.
Read more: In a massive win, Supreme Court rules PTI eligible for reserved seats
The couple signed their marriage contract, or “Nikkah,” in January 2018 in a secret ceremony, seven months before Khan became prime minister. Controversy arose over whether they wed before the Iddat period was complete. After initial denials, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) confirmed the marriage weeks later. Both Khans deny any wrongdoing in the Iddat case.
“Additional Session Judge Afzal Majoka has dismissed charges against Mr. & Mrs. Khan in the Iddat case, ordering their release,” PTI said in a message to reporters. “So far, Mr. Khan has no case that could keep him in prison, unless there’s a concealed one which his legal team isn’t aware of.”
Pakistani local media widely reported the acquittal. Dawn newspaper reported Judge Majoka ordered that if they are not wanted in any other case, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi should be released from jail immediately.’
Read more: PTI Suspends Sher Afzal Marwat’s Party Membership
Khan has been in jail since last August after being convicted in four cases. Two of the cases have since been suspended, and he was acquitted in a third, making the Iddat case the only one keeping him in prison. Earlier this week, an anti-terrorism court dismissed three bail pleas by Khan related to riots on May 9 last year, declaring there was “reasonable” evidence of his involvement.
“ATC has canceled bail [in May 9 cases] but not ordered arrest,” PTI stated. “Pre-arrest bail is being moved.”
PTI also mentioned that Bushra had bail in the Toshakhana case, where a Pakistani anti-graft court had jailed the couple for 14 years each for illegally selling state gifts.
“She has bail in the Toshakhana case, so there is no legal reason to keep her in jail,” PTI senior leader Zulfi Bukhari said in a text message. “Anything to keep her imprisoned will be illegal.”
Khan’s convictions had ruled the 71-year-old out of the upcoming general elections in February, as convicted felons cannot run for public office under Pakistani law. Arguably Pakistan’s most popular politician, Khan claims all cases against him are intended to keep him out of politics.
The criminal complaint against Khan and Bushra’s marriage was brought by her ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, to whom she was married for about 30 years.
Khan has often called Bushra his spiritual leader, and she is known for her devotion to Sufism, a mystical form of Islam. Born Bushra Riaz Watto, she changed her name to Khan after their marriage. Her husband and followers commonly refer to her as Bushra Bibi or Bushra Begum, titles of respect in Urdu.
Khan’s two previous marriages — to Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of tycoon James Goldsmith, and television journalist Reham Nayyar Khan — ended in divorce.
