Pakistani ex-Premier Khan gets 7 years in prison in 3rd case this week

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) — A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to seven years each in prison over charges of unlawful marriage.

Judge Qudrat Ullah announced the verdict in the northeastern garrison city of Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, according to local broadcaster ARY.

The judge also imposed a fine of 1 million Pakistani rupees ($3,575) on Khan and his wife.

Khan and Bibi were indicted on Jan. 16 and the trial as completed in 16 days.

Bibi's former husband, Khawar Farid Maneka, recently filed a case against the two after almost six years and accused them of marrying without completing the iddat — a compulsory waiting period after divorce — and committing adultery, which is outlawed in Pakistan.

Khan, who is currently incarcerated in Adiala jail, was arrested in August with multiple cases against him.

This is his fourth sentence announced and the third this week.

The former cricket star and Bibi were each handed a 14-year jail terms on Wednesday in a case related to the illegal sale of state gifts. The ruling came a day after Khan received a 10-year sentence for leaking state secrets.