Verdict in Nikah case against Imran, Bushra to be challenged in higher courts

Rawalpindi:  Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Saturday leader Barrister Gohar Khan decided to challenge the verdict that sentenced its founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to seven years in jail in the "un-Islamic nikah" case.

The ruling, which also includes a Rs500,000 fine for each accused, was delivered by Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah following a petition filed by Bushra's ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, who denounced their marriage as un-Islamic and fraudulent.

Maneka contended that the nikah between Bushra and Khan was conducted during her iddat, the period following her divorce with him, making it invalid according to Islamic law.

Khan's lawyer, Barrister Gohar, denounced the allegations as politically motivated and baseless, alleging that they stemmed from Aun Chaudhry, a former close associate of Khan.

Gohar revealed that the judge disregarded legal precedent, ruling the second function, a family gathering, as the valid nikah, rather than the initial solemnization.

The PTI condemned the verdict as "extremely shameful" and vowed to challenge it in a higher court. They labeled it a political vendetta and an attack on constitutional and Shariah principles.

Bushra's lawyer, Usman Gill, criticized the ruling's legality, emphasizing that only family courts hold jurisdiction over nikah annulment, not criminal courts.

Bushra herself refuted the divorce dates presented by Maneka, asserting that her iddat period ended before her marriage to Khan. She clarified that the second function was merely a prayer ceremony, not the nikah itself.

The case, she argued, was filed after Maneka's release from custody in November 2023, indicating malicious intent.

Both PTI and Bushra's legal team vowed to pursue justice through legal avenues, emphasizing the case's political undertones and affirming their commitment to the rule of law.