Pakistani court acquits ex-Premier Imran Khan, his wife in marriage law violation case

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – A Pakistani court on Saturday suspended sentences and acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife in a case accusing them of violating Islamic marriage law, according to court records.

Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka of the Islamabad District and Sessions Court issued the verdict on the couple's appeal against their conviction in the case, ordering their release if they are not wanted in any other case.

"Another Prosecution Failed and Malafide Exposed. Iddat & Nikah Honourable Acquittal for Imran Khan & Bushra Bibi. Judge M Majooka Quashed Convictions," Khan's lawyer Barrister Salman Safdar said on X.

This is Khan's second major legal victory in the last two days after the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday ordered the Election Commission of Pakistan to allot 77 reserved seats for women and minorities to his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the national and provincial assemblies.

Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi were sentenced to seven years in jail by a trial court in February, just days before the general elections in the country.

This was Khan's third conviction, as his previous two sentences were suspended and set aside by the Islamabad High Court.

However, Khan has little chance of being released because he is charged in dozens of other cases ranging from corruption to violence.

Khan dubs the cases against him as a "sham."

His wife Bushra Bibi, however, is likely to be released.

The 72-year-old cricketer-turned-politician, who was removed from office in April 2022 by a no-trust vote, has been imprisoned in the northeastern garrison city of Rawalpindi since August of last year.