Another jolt hit former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi Khan on Saturday after they were sentenced to seven years in prison and a fine by an Islamabad court. The court said that their 2018 marriage violated the Islamic law.
Along with the seven-year sentence, the court also imposed a Fine of a a million rupees ($3,560) on them.
The case was filed by Bushra Bibi’s first husband, Khawar Maneka, alleging that she violated the Islamic practice of observing the mandatory pause or Iddat — of three months — between two marriages.
Maneka also accused his ex-wife and Khan of being in an adulterous relationship before marriage, a crime punishable by death by stoning. Islamabad’s Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah conducted the hearing in Adiala Jail Rawalpindi where Khan has been held since September last year due to different cases.
He concluded the hearing on Friday night after a marathon 14-hour-long hearing.
Notably, this is the third adverse ruling against Khan this week and comes at a crucial time ahead of national elections, scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 8. However, Khan has been barred from contesting the polls.
Sources close to Imran Khan told CNN-News18 that the case — after being quiet for all this time since 2018 — was filed under pressure last year.
Three judgements with in a week are a clear indication that the country’s Army is running the show and they don’t want him to win even a single seat, they added.
On Friday, the cross-examination of the four prosecution witnesses was completed, while Khan, 71, and Bibi, 49, submitted a joint statement, answering 13 questions.
Saturday’s verdict follows another case in which Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were sentenced to 14 years in prison in a corruption case.
Khan’s lawyer, Intisar Panjutha, said the verdict was announced by Judge Qudrat Ullah a day after the trial ended. Khan and his family insist the trial is politically motivated, AP reported.
On the other hand, the prosecution argued that Khan and his wife violated the law that a woman must wait three months before marrying again. Bibi had been married previously.
It was Khan’s fourth conviction since 2022 when he was ousted from power. The sentences will be served concurrently.
Most Popular Leader’s Life ‘In Danger’, Claims Close Aid
The former Pakistan prime minister’s close aide claimed that Khan is the most popular leader in the country and that his life was in danger.
His close aide, Dr Salman told CNN-News18 that Khan has been given three options:
- Formally apologize and stay away from politics. He can can bring one of his family members forward.
- He should stay in Bani Gala for three years and he won’t be allowed to give any advice to the party.
- He’ll be given three names; Khan has to nominate one of them for the PM, but he will tell the public that he has chosen them.
However, the former PM refused to even consider any kind of a deal, Salman added.
Salman, additionally, also said 95% public stands with Imran Khan, adding that the Army is afraid of how bad it will be for them.
Salman said that despite Khan being banned in the media, he is still the most popular leader. Imran will not bow down, he will stand with truth, the close aide added.
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