Iddat case verdict on 27th

Judge says he will decide the case as per the law

ISLAMABAD:

An Islamabad district and sessions court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on pleas seeking the suspension of sentences handed down to PTI founding chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the iddat (mandatory waiting period for Muslim women between two marriages) case.

The court announced that the verdict on the suspension of the sentences would be announced on June 27 at 3pm.

The hearing of the main appeal has been adjourned until July 2.

On February 3 this year, a senior civil judge sentenced Imran and Bushra to seven years in prison each for contracting the marriage during iddat in a case against the couple filed by the former first lady’s ex-husband Khawar Maneka in November 2023.

The PTI founding chairman and his wife challenged the order in the Islamabad district and sessions court.

However, when the court was about to deliver its verdict on the appeals on May 29, district and sessions judge Shahrukh Arjumand requested the Islamabad High Court to send the case to another judge.

The IHC listed the case for hearing in the court of additional district and sessions judge Mohammad Afzal Majoka.

On Tuesday, Judge Majoka reaffirmed his commitment to a lawful decision.

“I will decide according to the law,” he pledged.

Representing the PTI founding chairman and Bushra were Barrister Salman Safdar and Advocate Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry, while Zahid Asif Chaudhry appeared on behalf of Maneka.

At the outset of the hearing, Safdar highlighted the excessive number of hearings – over 15 in three months – often delayed by the complainant and prosecution, suggesting a lack of substantial evidence.

Safdar detailed Bushra’s situation, noting that numerous cases had been filed against her husband, the PTI founding chairman, including the cipher and Toshakhana ones.

Safdar emphasised the importance of addressing both the main appeal and the one for suspending the sentences, referencing the prior IHC rulings.

Judge Majoka reserved the verdict after hearing the arguments from both sides.