Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi have been convicted in a fourth case for violating of marriage law.
A Pakistan Court sentenced the former Pak PM and his third wife to seven years in prison on Saturday, February 3. The ruling comes shortly after the Wednesday verdict in which the two were sentenced to 14 years in prison on corruption charges.
Intisar Panjutha, the lawyer representing the couple that the ruling was given by senior civil Judge Qudratullah a day after the conclusion of the trial at a “makeshift court” in Adiala district jail. Both, Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and his family have alleged that the recent convictions are politically motivated.
The criminal charges are in response to Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s marriage which allegedly took place during the latter’s Iddat period. Under Islamic law, a woman is expected to wait for three months following a divorce in order to be able to marry. The Rawalpindi court accused Khan and Bushra Bibi of defying this law, calling the marriage “un-Islamic and illegal”. The complaint was filed by Bushra Bibi’s former husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s statements were recorder under section 342.
Bushra Bibi is a spiritual healer who was previously married to Maneka. The latter has also filed cases against the former PM’s wife charging her with fraudulent marriage and fornication.
Iddat Case Filed To Disgrace Imran Khan And Wife, Claims Former
The veteran cricketer told reporters that the Iddat case has been filed with a motive to malign both his image and that of his wife. He said that these are direct attempts at “humiliating and disgracing’ him and Bushra Bibi. He also stated that for the first time he witnessed a criminal case being filed on grounds of Iddat.
This marks the third court ruling for Imran Khan in one week, following the 10 year prison sentence for the cipher case and the 14 year imprisonment for selling state gifts ruled on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Bushra Bibi too has faced charges for the latter.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi Face 14 Years Of Imprisonment In Toshakhana Case
The Wednesday verdict pertaining to the Toshakhana Case has convicted both Khan and his wife for sale of and retaining expensive state gifts. The two have also been barred from office for a period of 10 years as well as fined a penalty of Rupees 787 million each.
As per The Hindustan Times, the Toshakhana department, under the Cabinet Division, keeps track of all the gifts received by leaders of the country during the term and allow for the retention of gifts which are worth PKR 30,000 or less, provided they are first “deposited”. Further the PM or the President can pay 50% of a gift’s value in order to be able to keep it for themselves.
The PTI states that the duo either did not deposit the gifts or exercised their authority to pay a lower amount for retaining the gifts. The issue was first brought to light in August of 2022 by the coalition government formed under Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), accusing Khan of not disclosing the relevant details about the gifts received as well as engaging in “illegal” sale of the gifts.
An investigation by the Election Commission of Pakistan revealed that the sale was not illegal as Khan had already paid a portion covering the costs of the gifts, making him its legal owner. However, he prohibited from holding office on account of “unethical behaviour”.
The gifts included “expensive cufflinks, expensive Rolex watches, a ring and a valuable pen”.
