Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi sentenced to 7 years in jail, nikah declared ‘un-Islamic’

The Senior Civil Judge has delivered the judgment on the unlawful marriage case involving the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and his spouse, Bushra Bibi.

Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi have each received a seven-year prison sentence.

Their marriage, purportedly conducted during her waiting period (‘iddat’) following a divorce from her previous husband Khawar Maneka, was found to be in violation of Shariah law. They have both been levied a fine of Rs500,000 as well.

The verdict was declared at Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is already confined due to the Toshakhana and cipher cases.

The Senior Civil Judge, Qudratullah, outlined the decision in a 50-page document. The defendants were convicted based on Section 496 of the PPC.

Should they fail to pay the fine, they will face an additional four months of incarceration.

The judgment was articulated in the presence of the defendants in an open court, where they were also given copies of the ruling.

Following the court’s instruction, the defendants were handed the decision documents.

The judge had conducted the case hearing last Friday concerning the illegal marriage during ‘iddat’ inside Adiala Jail and reserved the decision. The previous sessions in the jail included the finalization of cross-examinations of witnesses by the lawyers and the closing arguments by both legal sides.