In a significant development, a Pakistani court has sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Khan, to seven years in prison, along with fines, for violating the law with their 2018 marriage. This marks the third adverse ruling against the embattled former prime minister just days before national elections, which he is barred from contesting.
Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi, received additional sentences recently, including 10 years for leaking state secrets and 14 years for illegally selling state gifts. The rushed court hearings and lack of due process have led to criticism from Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), raising concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections.
The charges against the couple stem from allegations that Bushra Khan did not complete the waiting period mandated by Islam, known as “Iddat,” after divorcing her previous husband before marrying Imran Khan. The court imposed fines of 500,000 rupees ($1,800) on each of them.
The controversy surrounding their marriage, sealed with a “Nikkah” in January 2018, intensified due to doubts about the completion of the waiting period. Despite initial denials, PTI confirmed the marriage weeks later.
Imran Khan’s media advisor, Zulfi Bukhari, dismissed the charges as “categorically yet another fake case,” emphasizing the lack of evidence and proper procedure.
Imran Khan, known for his charismatic leadership as a former cricket superstar, has faced a tumultuous political journey, including previous divorces and disqualifications from public office. His wife, Bushra Khan, formerly Bushra Riaz Watto, embraced Sufism and changed her name after marriage.
The sentencing raises questions about the impact on the upcoming elections and the credibility of Pakistan’s higher judiciary, making it a crucial test case. The sentences’ potential concurrency or sequential nature remains unclear.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
