Former PM Imran Khan and Wife Acquitted in Un-Islamic Marriage Case

A Pakistani court acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the un-Islamic marriage case. This was the only case keeping the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder incarcerated. The judge ordered their release if not wanted in other cases, following their appeal in Islamabad court.

In a significant legal development, a Pakistani court on Saturday acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the un-Islamic marriage case. The case was the sole reason for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder's imprisonment.

The charges stemmed from a complaint by Bushra Bibi's ex-husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka, who claimed the couple married during her Iddat period, a four-month span in Islam when a woman cannot remarry after divorce or her husband's death. On February 3, days before the general elections, an Islamabad court convicted the couple.

The judgment was handed down by Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka in the capital's district and sessions court. After reserving the verdict earlier in the day, the judge announced the acquittal of 71-year-old Khan and 49-year-old Bushra Bibi. The court instructed that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi should be released immediately unless they are wanted in other cases. Despite the ruling, it remains unclear if Khan would be freed, as this was the only case keeping him incarcerated following the suspension of his sentence in the Toshakhana corruption case and his acquittal in the cipher case.

(With inputs from agencies.)