A Pakistani court sentenced PTI founder Imran Khan and his third wife Bushra Bibi to seven years imprisonment each in an ‘un-Islamic’ Nikah case. The court also imposed a fine of Rs5lacs each on the former prime minister and his wife.

Imran Khan faced third conviction in a week, as he was earlier sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the cipher leaking case, and 14 years jail time in Toshakhana case.

For the Nikah case, a trial court announced a verdict that was reserved by the court last night after 14-hour hearing.

Imran-Bushra Nikah Case

The controversial case against Imran Khan, and Bushra Bibi was filed on November 25, 2023, when Bushra Bibi’s former-spouse, Khawar Maneka, moved to Islamabad Sessions Court. Maneka alleged that Bushra married Imran Khan during her Iddat period, accusing the former first lady of violating Islamic rules.

Maneka’s counsel included several sections of the Pakistan Penal Code for severe punishment.

In his statement, Mr Maneka said Bushra Bibi’s sister introduced her to Imran Khan in the capital. He also accused PTI founder of repeatedly visiting his residence in his absence, and it led to confrontation where he allegedly had a heated argument with Imran Khan.

Maneka blamed Imran for calling his wife late at night and secret meetings with the help of Farah Gogi.

Bushra’s first husband divorced former on November 14, 2017, due to her closeness with Imran Khan. Khan then married Bushra in February 2018 and Mufti Saeed solemnized their Nikah.

Islamabad local court agreed to hear the case against Khawar Manika, while PTI chief Imran Khan refuted charges. Bushra and Imran remain absent in initial court proceedings.

On January 15, Bushra Bibi contested the case in the Islamabad High Court, and court issued a notice to Khawar Maneka, restraining the District and Sessions Court from recording witness statements.

The trial was however adjourned until January 29, complying with Islamabad High Court’s ruling.

During the IHC hearing on January 25, the injunction on the trial was extended until January 31. The lawyer of Imran Khan argued that the case aimed to malign image of PTI chief and his wife for political purposes, while Khawar Maneka’s lawyer questioned the validity of the second marriage.

In recent developments, the legal proceedings against PTI founder concluded with a surprising seven-year prison sentence for Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.

Mufti Saeed claims that Nikah solemnised twice in 2018

Mufti Saeed, who solemnized the marriage of the former premier, recorded his statement before a local court in the federal capital. He claimed that Imran contacted him over the phone, asking him to solemnize his marriage with Bushra Bibi.

The cleric said Bushra married during her Iddat despite knowing everything, an act which is punishable in South Asian nation. Several members of PTI including Zulfi Bukhari and Awn Chaudhry were present in Nikah ceremony and they also stood witness to the Nikah.

Saeed said he asked Bushra Bibi’s sister if Nikah could be solemnized as per Shariah and the latter’s responded positively.

He then confirmed that first Nikah was illegal which had been solemnised based on the prediction. Bushra Bibi divorced her first husband in November 2017 and tied the knot again in January 2018 – without completing the Iddat period.

Mufti said Imran Khan contacted him again a month later, requesting him to solemnize nikah for the second time with Bushra Bibi, saying her iddat was not completed at the time of the Nikah.