Imran and Bushra’s Immediate Release Unlikely Amid Fears of Arrest in Other Cases

Posted on 07/13/2024

3 min read

ISLAMABAD: The immediate release of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi appears unlikely due to concerns over potential arrests in other cases. Despite their acquittal in the iddat case, also known as the un-Islamic nikah case, there are apprehensions that the couple may be detained in connection with other legal matters.Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka's recent ruling, which annulled their conviction in the iddat case, did not guarantee their immediate freedom if they are implicated in other ongoing legal proceedings.Previously sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs500,000 each, Khan and Bushra had challenged their conviction after a trial court found their nikah fraudulent based on a complaint by Bushra's ex-husband, Khawar Maneka. While the court highlighted Maneka's failure to prove his case against the couple, concerns persist that Khan and Bushra could face further legal complications.Despite securing relief in some cases, including bail grants in multiple cases from May 9 in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, Khan has been incarcerated since August last year due to convictions in various legal disputes, including the Toshakhana criminal case.The Islamabad High Court's recent directives to the district court aimed at resolving suspension of sentence and conviction challenges within specific timeframes did not entirely alleviate concerns regarding the couple's immediate release.Background of the Iddat Case The iddat case originated when a petitioner alleged that Bushra had married Khan on January 1, 2018, before completing her iddat period following her November 2017 divorce. Initially dismissed by a district court, the matter resurfaced when Bushra's ex-husband, Maneka, filed a complaint on November 25, 2023. The couple was formally charged on January 16, 2024, and subsequently sentenced to seven years each on February 3. Following multiple appeals, their conviction in the iddat case was recently annulled, though uncertainties persist regarding their legal status in other ongoing cases.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Gohar Ali Khan on Saturday demanded that party founder Imran Khan should now be released forthwith following a court order acquitting him and his wife Bushra Bibi in the iddat case.Gohar's remarks come as a district and sessions court acquitted the former premier and his spouse in the unlawful nikah case — the last hurdle in Khan's release from jail."This was a case which had no basis. Bushra Bibi is not convicted in any other case and PTI founder should also be released today," demanded the PTI chief as he was surrounded by party members rejoicing over Khan's acquittal.The court accepted the couple's pleas seeking annulment of their conviction in the iddat case. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka announced short order reserved earlier in the day.Khan and Bushra were sentenced to seven years in prison and awarded a fine of Rs500,000 each, in February earlier this year after a trial court found their nikah to be fraudulent as Khawar Maneka, Bushra's ex-husband, moved the court against the couple's marriage.The couple had then challenged their conviction and even moved the IHC seeking varying relief from the court.The court, in its verdict, has said that the former prime minister and his spouse should be immediately released if their arrest is not required in any other case.The verdict holds significance for Khan, who has been behind bars since August last year after he was sentenced in the Toshakhana criminal case, and subsequently sentenced in other cases ahead of the February 8 elections.Khan has already secured relief in £190 million reference, Toshakhana and the cipher cases.Khan has also been granted bail in several May 9 cases registered in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad. However, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Lahore earlier this week dismissed his pre-arrest bail in vandalism cases related to the violent protests last year. Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka's recent ruling, which annulled their conviction in the iddat case, did not guarantee their immediate freedom if they are implicated in other ongoing legal proceedings.Previously sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs500,000 each, Khan and Bushra had challenged their conviction after a trial court found their nikah fraudulent based on a complaint by Bushra's ex-husband, Khawar Maneka. While the court highlighted Maneka's failure to prove his case against the couple, concerns persist that Khan and Bushra could face further legal complications.Despite securing relief in some cases, including bail grants in multiple cases from May 9 in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, Khan has been incarcerated since August last year due to convictions in various legal disputes, including the Toshakhana criminal case.The Islamabad High Court's recent directives to the district court aimed at resolving suspension of sentence and conviction challenges within specific timeframes did not entirely alleviate concerns regarding the couple's immediate release.Background of the Iddat Case The iddat case originated when a petitioner alleged that Bushra had married Khan on January 1, 2018, before completing her iddat period following her November 2017 divorce. Initially dismissed by a district court, the matter resurfaced when Bushra's ex-husband, Maneka, filed a complaint on November 25, 2023. The couple was formally charged on January 16, 2024, and subsequently sentenced to seven years each on February 3. Following multiple appeals, their conviction in the iddat case was recently annulled, though uncertainties persist regarding their legal status in other ongoing cases.

Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka’s recent ruling, which annulled their conviction in the iddat case, did not guarantee their immediate freedom if they are implicated in other ongoing legal proceedings.

Previously sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs500,000 each, Khan and Bushra had challenged their conviction after a trial court found their nikah fraudulent based on a complaint by Bushra’s ex-husband, Khawar Maneka. While the court highlighted Maneka’s failure to prove his case against the couple, concerns persist that Khan and Bushra could face further legal complications.

Despite securing relief in some cases, including bail grants in multiple cases from May 9 in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad, Khan has been incarcerated since August last year due to convictions in various legal disputes, including the Toshakhana criminal case.

The Islamabad High Court’s recent directives to the district court aimed at resolving suspension of sentence and conviction challenges within specific timeframes did not entirely alleviate concerns regarding the couple’s immediate release.

Background of the Iddat Case
The iddat case originated when a petitioner alleged that Bushra had married Khan on January 1, 2018, before completing her iddat period following her November 2017 divorce. Initially dismissed by a district court, the matter resurfaced when Bushra’s ex-husband, Maneka, filed a complaint on November 25, 2023. The couple was formally charged on January 16, 2024, and subsequently sentenced to seven years each on February 3. Following multiple appeals, their conviction in the iddat case was recently annulled, though uncertainties persist regarding their legal status in other ongoing cases.