An Islamabad district and sessions court on Saturday accepted the appeals filed by former prime minister Imran Khan and his spouse Bushra Bibi against their conviction in the Iddat case, clearing the last existing legal case keeping the PTI founder in jail.
The verdict clears the last existing legal hurdle keeping Imran in jail. His sentences in the two Toshakhana cases were suspended while he was acquitted by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the cipher case. Various courts have also acquitted him in several other cases filed against him since the events of May 9, 2023 — the day when his first arrest had caused riots across the country, following which the state launched a crackdown against him and his part
Imran,s legal position:
- Islamabad court acquits Imran, Bushra Bibi; orders immediate release
- Release of couple from Adiala Jail not confirmed so far
- PTI celebrates while government quiet on development so far
- Bushra Bibi’s sentence in Toshakhana case has been suspended, granted pre-arrest bail in corruption reference
- PTI condemns reports of NAB team on way to arrest Bushra Bibi in new Toshakhana cas
The IHC in May also approved Imran’s bail application in the 190 investigation into the matter was complete and the PTI founder’s “continued incarceration” would not serve any purpose.
However, a Lahore anti-terrorism court on Tuesday dismissed Imran’s pre-arrest bail petitions in three cases related to the May 9 riots.
The couple was convicted in the Iddat case on February 3 — days before the general elections — on a complaint filed by Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka, who alleged that they contracted marriage during the former first lady’s Iddat period
Senior civil judge Qudratullah had sentenced the ex-premier and his spouse to seven years in jail and imposed a Rs500,000 fine each — a decision that was widely criticised by civil society, women activists and lawyers. The verdict had coincided with the Toshakhana and cipher case sentences.
Previously, District and Sessions Judge (DSJ) Shahrukh Arjumand was hearing the case and had reserved the verdict in May. However, on the day of its expected announcement, he sought transfer of the case, citing Maneka’s request for recusal from hearing the appeals. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the court of Additional DSJ Afzal Majoka.
Last month, ADSJ Majoka had rejected another set of pleas filed by Imran and his wife seeking the suspension of their sentences.
ADSJ Majoka announced the judgment today at 3pm after reserving the verdict earlier in the day.
After accepting their appeals, the judge said: “If they are not wanted in any other case, then PTI founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi should be released [from jail] immediately.”
Earlier today, a pair of applications was filed by Maneka — one was to carry out the medical checkup of Bushra Bibi, his ex-wife, to ascertain her menstrual cycle while the other application called on religious scholars and ulemas for consultation on further deliberation on the duration of Iddat.
The judge, in his order, dismissed both applications, adding that the orders for the release of the PTI founder and his spouse were issued.
According to the short order, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, appeals filed by both appellants were accepted and the couple were acquitted of the charge.
“Whereas […] the Superintendent Central Prison Adiala, Rawalpindi is required and authorised to release the above-referred appellants forthwith if they are not required in any other case,” it said.
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