Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi challenge verdict in illegal marriage case

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have lodged an appeal against the recent verdict in the illegal marriage case at the District and Sessions Courts in Islamabad.

The appeal, filed on Friday, contests the judgment delivered by Civil Judge Qudratullah on February 2, which found the couple guilty of solemnising their nikah during Bushra Bibi’s iddat after divorcing her former husband, Khawar Maneka.

The sessions court is scheduled to mark the couple’s appeal today. According to sources close to the matter, Bushra Bibi’s legal team has strongly criticized the verdict, alleging it to be “contrary to the facts”.

Key points highlighted in the appeal include the dismissal of a plea to determine the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case without any reason being assigned, as well as claims that the civil court failed to conduct the trial properly.

Furthermore, the appeal argues that the trial court interpreted the rules of reference but disregarded Sharia law regarding divorce, despite its significance in the case.

The appeal, filed by Khalid Yusuf Ch advocate, names the federal government and Bushra Bibi’s former husband, Khawar Farid Manika, as parties.

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Bushra Bibi contends that she was divorced in April 2017 and subsequently moved to her mother’s house in August 2017.

She argues that the trial court proceeded without jurisdiction and that the decision was illegal, un-Islamic, un-Sharia, and contrary to justice.

The appeal seeks the annulment of the judgment sentencing Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to seven years’ imprisonment in the illegal marriage case.