Court orders jail trial of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi marriage case

Islamabad: The Session Court has issued a verdict for a jail trial in the case of the alleged illegitimate marriage involving Imran Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi.

In the District and Session Courts of Islamabad, Judge Qudratullah conducted a hearing on the matter against former prime minister Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Usman Gul, appeared before the court.

Usman Gul informed the court that Bushra Bibi is currently in Lahore and cannot appear in court. To which the court responded that the former chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is in jail, and not Bushra Bibi.

Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Usman Gul, mentioned that she is willing to appear at the next hearing, and bail bonds are ready, but signatures cannot be obtained. He suggested a time between 2 to 3 PM for the next appearance of Bushra Bibi.

The court noted that if Bushra Bibi is genuinely unwell, medical examination certificate can be attached with the plea. The court also expressed the intention to wait for a report related to the PTI chief from the jail authorities.

Upon this, Usman Gul commented that everyone knows the report when it arrives, and the court urged him to only discuss matters related to this case in court.

Usman Gul requested the court to extend the date of the next hearing, citing the need to come from Lahore. The court suggested him to rent a residence in Islamabad for some time.

Later, jail authorities apologized from presenting Imran Khan in court and submitted their response.

The superintendent of the jail, in the response, stated that due to security threats, they cannot present Imran Khan in court. A letter to the police authorities was also written by the jail authorities regarding the appearance of PTI founder in court.

The court has issued an order for a jail trial in the case of the alleged illegitimate marriage involving Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi. The court ordered that after the Superintendent’s response, the decision was made, and the next hearing of the illegitimate marriage case will take place in Adiala Jail.

The open jail trial will allow family members and citizens to participate, while media representatives and citizens interested in the hearing can contact the Superintendent for arrangements. The court has scheduled further hearing on the case until December 22.

Bushra Bibi, the central figure in the case, was granted exemption from attending today’s hearing. The reasons behind her exemption request remain undisclosed.

The court said that the hearing could wait until production report of Imran Khan is obtained. PTI’s counsel Usman Gul said that he already knows what report had come from the jail, and alluded the court to be aware of the report as well. To this, the court responded, “We are not aware of it, please enlighten us what the report said”.

In response to this, advocate Usman Gul drew attention of the Sessions Court to the Supreme Court’s previous order regarding elections, claiming that the directive had not been implemented as intended. Judge Qudratullah promptly redirected the focus to the specifics of the PTI Chairman’s case, emphasising the need to stay within the confines of the ongoing proceedings.

Lawyer Usman Gul, expressing the logistical challenges of commuting from Lahore, requested an extended date for future hearings. Judge Qudratullah suggested that the counsel should consider renting a house in Islamabad for the duration of the trial.