The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka rejected the suspension requests in the case against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi regarding their marriage during the Iddat Case.
Yesterday, the court announced the reserved decision, denying the suspension requests. Furthermore, a detailed 10-page written decision was issued. Stating that neither accused had a valid reason for suspending their sentence. The court noted that Bushra Bibi being a woman does not justify suspension or release on bail. The written decision emphasized that discussions on the case’s merits cannot occur during hearings for suspension or bail requests. Additionally, the court mentioned that neither party received short-term sentences nor had they served a significant portion of their sentences. The decision referenced the case of Muhammad Riaz vs. the State, asserting that bail is a right for under-trial defendants, not those already convicted.
Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s Legal Saga Timeline
To recap, on November 25, 2023, Bushra Bibi’s former husband, Khawar Maneka, filed a criticism in an Islamabad courtroom. This case, normally known as the Iddat Case, gained considerable attention. After the trial, Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to seven years in jail on February 2, 2024. On February 23, 2024, appellants filed appeals against their sentences in the courtroom of Sessions Judge Shah Rukh Arjmand.
Judge Shah Rukh Arjmand reserved the decision on these appeals on May 23, 2024. However, on May 29, Khawar Maneka expressed a lack of confidence in the court. Prompting Judge Shah Rukh Arjmand to transfer the appeals to another court. Requesting the Islamabad High Court to reassign the case. Toward June 3, the Islamabad High Court transferred the appeals to Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka. On June 13, Justice Mian Gul Hassan Aurangzeb of the Islamabad High Court ordered the sessions court to decide on the suspension requests within ten days and the main appeals within a month.
On June 25, Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka reserved the decision on the suspension requests and adjourned the hearing for the main appeals until July 2. The PTI has expressed disappointment over rejecting the suspension requests and announced plans to challenge the decision in court. Speaking to the media outside the District and Sessions Court Islamabad, National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub stated that they have the legal right to challenge the decision in the High Court. He argued that the suspension request should have been granted as it was a straightforward matter involving a married couple, which had been politicized and used as a weapon, resulting in the suspension not being given.
PTI Chairman Accuses Political Motivation in Case Against Imran Khan
Barrister Gohar, the PTI Chairman, accused the authorities of politically motivating the case, stating that the decision perpetuates the ongoing political vendetta against Imran Khan and his wife. The PTI spokesperson announced they would immediately appeal the decision in the High Court. Critics accused state actors of influencing the justice system and described the case as baseless and unjust, aiming to keep the former Prime Minister and his wife in jail.
On a related note, Judicial Magistrate Yasir Mahmood has reserved the decision on the acquittal request in two cases related to the Azadi March involving PTI leaders. Including the former Prime Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and Faisal Javed. During the hearing, PTI’s lawyer, Sardar Masroof, argued that an authorized authority did not file the FIR, and even if the trial proceeded, there was little likelihood of conviction due to lack of evidence. Additionally, the court docket is ready to pay attention to an Iddat case. Which provides some other layer of complexity to the court cases. The courtroom docket reserved the choice and adjourned the taking note.
The Lahore High Court postponed the hearing on a petition challenging. The Punjab cabinet’s approval to name PTI leaders in additional cases. Sardar Latif Khosa argued that the cabinet’s decision on May 24 to name PTI leaders in more cases should be nullified. PTI leaders, including Shibli Faraz, Rauf Hassan, and Sheikh Waqas Akram, visited the former Prime Minister in Adiala Jail. Accompanied by Bushra Bibi’s daughter Mehrun Nisa, granddaughter Ruhi Sheikh, and grandson Yusuf Sheikh. The meeting was held in the jail’s conference room. Discussions included the session court’s decision regarding the marriage during the Iddat Case.
