Pakistan: Court acquits Imran Khan in illegal marriage case

A Pakistani court on Saturday acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Khan, also known as Bushra Bibi, of charges of illegal marriage, his lawyer Naeem Panjutha said.

An Islamabad District and Sessions Court "dismissed charges" against Khan, a spokesman for his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party confirmed.

Judge Afzal Majoka announced in court that the "appeals of both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are accepted."

What does this decision mean for Khan?

A court in Islamabad ordered prison authorities to release Khan immediately if no other cases are pending against him.

However, Khan will not be released immediately, as he remains in jail on charges of inciting riots. A court this week cancelled his bail over accusations he incited riots by his supporters in May 2023.

The ex-premier faces multiple charges in more than 100 cases. His sentences and convictions in other cases have either been been either suspended or overturned by the courts.

What is the illegal marriage case about?

Khan married Bushra Bibi, his third wife, in 2018. The couple was accused of violating Islamic marriage laws after Bibi's former husband claimed she married Khan without waiting enough time after their divorce.

They were sentenced in February to seven years in prison.

Khan was hit with several convictions in the days before the February electionsand has been in jail since August last year. He claims these cases had been orchestrated to prevent his return to power. All of the verdicts have now been at least partially overturned on appeal.
(AFP, dpa, Reuters)