A Pakistani court has acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, of charges related to their 2018 marriage, which had previously been declared unlawful under Islamic law. Despite the acquittal, Khan remains incarcerated due to separate charges related to inciting riots.
The Islamabad court’s decision to overturn the conviction comes amidst a series of legal battles faced by Khan, who has been a central figure in Pakistan’s recent political turbulence. The case was originally filed by Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, who claimed that the marriage did not adhere to the Islamic waiting period after divorce.
While Bushra Bibi is expected to be released following this verdict, Khan’s continued detention is linked to charges from another case where he is accused of inciting violent protests in May 2023. This ongoing legal saga unfolds after a United Nations panel criticized Khan’s detention as arbitrary and politically motivated, calling for his immediate release.
Imran Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), recently won a significant number of seats in Pakistan’s general elections but has been prevented from forming a government due to opposition from military-backed parties. Despite these challenges, Khan’s legal team and supporters continue to navigate a complex array of legal and political obstacles.