Bushra Bibi likely to be released from jail in one month

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, is expected to be released from Adiala jail, where she is serving her sentence in an illegal marriage case, in one month, sources said on Thursday.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) today gave a 10-day time to a district and sessions court to decide the maintainability of the pleas seeking suspension of the sentences handed down to Bushra Bibi and Imran Khan.

Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb also directed the court to decide the case in one month.

The former prime minister and his wife were sentenced to seven years in jail in the Iddat Nikkah case on February 3.

On February 28, the couple filed a petition in a local court to appeal their convictions. Islamabad's local court Judge Shahrukh Arjumand heard the appeal and was expected to announce his verdict on May 29.

Later, the judge distanced himself from the case after Bushra's ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, expressed no confidence in him.

Reacting to the request, the IHC transferred the case to Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majuka.

Following the request, the veteran politician had moved the IHC seeking an announcement of the reserved verdict.

However, PTI leaders and political experts believe that the verdict was given in favour of Imran and Bushra.

They said that the PTI founder's wife is expected to be released from Rawalpindi jail in a month.

Experts said that the sentences were handed down to the couple in "haste".

They further said that Maneka and his counsel have failed in the court to defend their case.

Imran and Bushra were sentenced in two cases; Toshakhana and Iddat case.

However, the sentences in the Toshakhana case against the 72-year-old politician and his were suspended by the IHC on April 1.

"If the verdict comes in favour of the couple, Bushra Bibi will be released from jail as there is no other case underway against the former first lady," experts informed.