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

UPDATE - ADDED PTI CHAIRMAN COMMENTS AND COURT ORDER

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.

*** In his order to release Khan and his wife, the judge directed the Superintendent of Central Jail Adayala that appeals filed by both appellants have been accepted and they have been acquitted of the charge.

*** "you the Superintendent Central Prison Adyala, Rawalpindi is required and authorized to release the above referred appellants forthwith if they are not required in any other case," the judge said in the release order.

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.

*** PTI Interim Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan described the decision as a major victory for the Pakistani nation and said people should prepare for a welcome ceremony as Khan will be released soon.

*** "Today is a victory day for Pakistan and the entire nation," Khan told reporters outside the court, adding that Imran Khan will be released soon because all three cases in which he was sentenced have been suspended or Khan has been acquitted.

"All cases against Imran khan are baseless and political motivated and he will release soon," he said.