Iddat Case: Islamabad Court Orders Release of Ex-PM Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi

An Islamabad district and sessions court on Saturday ordered the release of former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the Iddat case, according to sources.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Afzal Majoka pronounced the judgment a little after 3 p.m. after reserving the verdict earlier in the day.

AS per reports, the judge stated after accepting their appeals, “If they are not wanted in any other case, then PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi should be released [from jail] immediately.”

The judge confirmed that orders for their release have been issued.

In February, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi were sentenced to seven years after a trial court found their nikah to be fraudulent.

The case was brought by Khawar Maneka, Bushra’s ex-husband, who alleged that the couple married during Bushra’s Iddat period. The decision was widely criticized by civil society, women activists, and lawyers, and coincided with sentences in the Toshakhana and cipher cases.

The couple challenged their conviction and sought relief from the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The verdict removes the last remaining legal obstacle keeping Imran in jail, as he has been acquitted by various courts in several other cases, including Toshakhana and cipher cases, filed against him since the events of May 9, 2023.

On that day, Imran’s first arrest led to riots across the country, prompting a state crackdown against him and his party.

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