Court rejects Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi's pleas seeking suspension of sentence in iddat case

Islamabad: A district and sessions court rejected on Thursday the pleas seeking suspension of the sentence handed down to PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the iddat case.

The verdict attracted strong condemnation from the PTI, which called it "absolutely ridiculous", and its leaders -- who were hoping for Imran's release -- staged a protest outside the Adiala jail, where the court had been set up to ensure the security of the ex-prime minister.

Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka announced the verdict today, reserved on Tuesday, with the hearing on the central plea related to the annulment of their conviction set to take place on July 2.

On the other hand, PTI central secretary general Omar Ayub Khan said that the party would be challenging the verdict in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

"We will challenge this verdict in the high court at once," the National Assembly opposition leader said while lamenting the politicisation and weaponisation of private matters between a husband and a wife.

فیصلے کو ہائیکورٹ میں چیلنج کریں گے، عمر ایوب#قومی_مطالبہ_خان_کی_رہائی #LoveYouImranKhan
pic.twitter.com/FUW5DL2ctN

— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 27, 2024

Speaking to the media, he reiterated that no dialogue would be held with the government until all PTI leaders and workers had been released.

In an X post, the party stated, "A case that is unprecedentedly despicable in both our country’s as well as Islamic history; has been globally condemned & brought immense embarrassment to Pakistan. Every single individual responsible for fabricating & carrying this case will go down in the dirtiest, darkest alleys of history."

Absolutely ridiculous.

A case that is unprecedentedly despicable in both our country’s as well as Islamic history; has been globally condemned & brought immense embarrassment to Pakistan.

Every single individual responsible for fabricating & carrying this case will go down in… https://t.co/TOHvkzfUC5

— PTI (@PTIofficial) June 27, 2024