Court summons Maneka in iddat case

Judge Majoka warns of verdict if no appearance made on June 21

ISLAMABAD:

A primary court of appeal on Friday issued a notice to Khawar Maneka while hearing petitions filed by Maneka’s ex-wife Bushra Bibi and former prime minister Imran Khan, seeking suspension of their sentence in an illegal marriage case.

The court noted that if Maneka or his representatives failed to appear on the next hearing date—June 21—the court would issue a verdict in the case after reviewing the case record.

On Friday, Islamabad Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka resumed hearing the petitions filed by Bushra and Imran. A district magistrate on February 3 convicted Bushra and Imran and sentenced them to seven years in prison for contracting marriage on January 1, 2028, without Bushra first observing the mandatory waiting—iddat—period.

The couple had challenged the judicial magistrate’s order in the court of Islamabad District and Session Judge Shahrukh Arjumand. However, the judge on May 29 referred the case to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for its transfer to another court after Maneka expressed a lack of trust in him.

The IHC later listed the case for hearing in the court of Judge Majoka. On Thursday, the IHC ordered the court to decide the couple’s request for suspension of their sentence within ten days.

Advocate Usman Riaz Gill, representing Bushra Bibi, appeared in court and presented the written order of the IHC. He requested the case to be scheduled for hearing today (Saturday).

Judge Majoka responded that he would decide the case within ten days. “A hearing tomorrow is not possible due to numerous bail applications pending. On the next hearing, even if the other party does not appear, a decision will be made,” he said.

Gill insisted on scheduling the case for Saturday so that the notice becomes part of the record. The judge noted that his order for Friday would be more than just a notice. After hearing the arguments, the court adjourned the case until June 21.