Pakistan Court Acquits Former PM Imran Khan and Wife in Unlawful Marriage Case

Islamabad Court Overturns Conviction, Ruling Charges Were Unfounded

In a significant legal victory for former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan , a court in Islamabad has acquitted him and his wife, Bushra Bibi , of charges related to an unlawful marriage.

The case, which had been a source of controversy and legal battles, was finally resolved on Saturday when the Islamabad District and Sessions Court announced its decision to accept the appeals filed by Khan and his wife.

The Unlawful Marriage Case

The charges against Khan and Bushra Bibi stemmed from a complaint filed by Bushra 's ex-husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka , in November 2023. Maneka had alleged that the couple's marriage in 2018 violated Islamic law, as it occurred during Bushra 's Iddat period - the mandatory waiting period for a woman after a divorce or the death of her husband.

In February 2023, just days before the general elections, an Islamabad court had convicted the couple and sentenced them to seven years in prison. However, the couple challenged the sentence, and the case was heard by Additional District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka .

The Acquittal

After reserving the verdict earlier in the day, Judge Majoka announced the judgment in the afternoon, stating that "the appeals of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are accepted." The judge further said that if the couple is not wanted in any other case, they should be released from jail immediately.

This ruling represents a significant legal victory for Khan , who has faced numerous legal challenges since being removed from power in a no-confidence vote in 2022. The former cricketer-turned-politician has been behind bars since August 2023, following convictions in the Toshakhana corruption case and other cases.

Implications and Ongoing Challenges

While the acquittal in the unlawful marriage case is a positive development for Khan , he remains in jail on charges of inciting riots by his supporters in May 2023. A court this week cancelled his bail over these accusations, and an anti-terrorism court in Lahore has also approved his arrest in a related case.

Despite these ongoing legal battles, the acquittal in the unlawful marriage case is seen as a significant win for Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The party's spokesman, Zulfi Bukhari , hailed the verdict as a "victory for the independent judiciary" and called for Khan 's immediate release.

The legal saga surrounding Imran Khan 's political career continues, but this latest acquittal represents a step forward in his efforts to clear his name and potentially pave the way for a return to power.