Islamabad’s District and Sessions Court has reserved its decision on the appeals against the sentences of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the iddat marriage case.
The verdict is scheduled to be announced today at 3 PM.
Imran Khan and his wife were sentenced to seven years in prison over allegations of contracting marriage during the former first lady’s Iddat period, following a complaint filed by Mr. Khawar Maneka.
Maneka is Bushra Bibi’s former husband. The conviction took place just days before the general elevtions in the country.
Both Imnran and Bushra had filed appeals against their conviction. An Islamabad High Court order issued in June had mandated the trial court to conclude the hearing by July 12.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka presided over the hearing of the main appeals filed by the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi on Saturday.
Khawar Maneka’s lawyer argued that during the trial, the defence lawyers for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi indicated their intention to present witnesses. He stated that there was no objection if they wished to do so.
It has highlighted that Bushra Bibi never told Mufti Saeed that her iddat period had ended, noting that Bushra’s statement would be conclusive after there is no record showing that Bushra Bibi declared she did not marry during iddat.
The lawyer also pointed out that Khawar Maneka did not specify adherence to Hanafi or Shafi’i jurisprudence.
He filed the complaint as a Muslim, seeking justice according to Islamic principles.
The lawyer questioned the necessity of a second marriage if the first was valid, implying that the first marriage was fraudulent.
Concluding his arguments, Maneka’s lawyer requested punishment under Sections 496 and 494 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Bushra Bibi’s lawyer argued that her statement is included in response to question number two under section 342, highlighting that Maneka remarried three to four months after the divorce, and they have a four-year-old daughter.
Salman Akram Raja, representing Imran Khan, countered by stating that a procedural flaw does not constitute fraud. He argued that the 90-day period is irrelevant since Khawar Maneka did not issue a divorce notice, making the 90-day requirement inapplicable.
He acknowledged the possibility of a legal flaw but maintained that it should not be deemed fraudulent.
Following the completion of arguments, the court reserved its decision on the appeals, which is scheduled to be announced at 3 PM.
