Imran Khan and Wife Sentenced to 7 Years Each in ‘Un-Islamic Nikah’ Case
Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi (X.com)
On Saturday, a Rawalpindi court sentenced former Pakistani skipper and Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, to seven years of imprisonment each in the "un-Islamic nikah" case. The case revolves around their marriage, which occurred during Bushra Bibi's Iddat period.
Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah announced the verdict after a complaint was filed by Bushra's former husband, Khawar Fareed Maneka, who deemed their marriage "un-Islamic and illegal." The makeshift court, situated at the Adiala district jail, served the judgment.
This legal setback comes in the same week as Imran's 14-year prison sentence in the Toshakhana case and a 10-year sentence in the cipher case. Cross-examinations of statements from the case's four witnesses were completed, and statements from Imran and Bushra Bibi were recorded under Section 342.
The legal proceedings involved final arguments from the complainant's counsel, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, Khan's lawyer, Salman Akram Raja, and Bushra Bibi's lawyer, Usman Gul, which were presented a day earlier.
In his petition, Maneka described the nikah of Bushra and Imran as "fraudulent," asserting that it was solemnized during her iddat, the period following her divorce from him. He accused the former prime minister of disrupting his life, claiming Imran "stigmatised the complainant and his family" to achieve his "unethical and immoral objects through intrusion in the complainant's peaceful marital life."
Coming to Imran’s professional cricketing career, the seam-bowling all-rounder represented Pakistan in 88 Tests and 175 ODIs. Notably, he captained the team to their sole ODI World Cup victory in 1992. As an all-rounder, Imran achieved a remarkable feat of securing 544 wickets and amassing 7,516 runs.
This legendary captain holds a distinguished place in Pakistan's cricketing history, recognized as one of the nation's greatest cricketers. Following the World Cup in 1987, Imran Khan initially announced his retirement. However, his comeback to the side just before the 1992 World Cup added a fairytale chapter to his illustrious career.
The corruption charges against Imran Khan and his wife have reverberated through Pakistan's political landscape, raising questions about the future of Khan's political career and the potential impact on the country's political stability. The details of the allegations remain undisclosed, leaving room for speculation and uncertainty regarding the renowned cricketer-turned-politician's future trajectory.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
