Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi acquitted in Iddat case

A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Saturday acquitted Pakistan Tehreeke-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi in the un-Islamic Nikkah case.

Additional Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka approved the petitions of the couple seeking suspension of their convictions in the Iddat case.

In January, Khawar Maneka, Bushra's ex-husband, had challenged the couple's marriage and had termed their nikah as fraudulent.

Maneka, in the petition, claimed that the marriage was solemnised during Bushra Bibi's iddat (the time a woman goes into isolation after a divorce or her husband's death).

Later, Islamabad's local court sentenced the veteran politician and his spouse to jail for seven years in the un-Islamic Nikah case on February 4.

On June 27, Judge Afzal Majoka upheld the sentences handed down to the couple in the unlawful-Nikah case.

Following the verdict, Mr and Mrs Imran moved the local court and Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking annulment of their conviction.

Today, the court acquitted the couple and ordered the authorities to release the former prime minister and his wife from jail, if they are not sentenced in any other case.

The 72-year politician has been in prison since August last year.

The cricketer-turned-politician was serving his jail terms in the Toshakhana case, cipher case, and Iddat case.

His sentences were suspended by the courts in the Toshakhana and Cipher cases.

However, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are likely to be released from jail, following the verdict, as no other case will hinder the process.