Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Conviction Overturned in Unlawful Marriage Case

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been acquitted by a Pakistani court in the case of his alleged unlawful marriage from 2018, overturning his conviction and seven-year prison sentence. This decision paves the way for his release nearly a year after he was jailed.

Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Panjutha, confirmed that the court in Rawalpindi announced the verdict, stating that if Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, are not wanted in any other case, they should be released. Bibi, Khan’s third wife and a spiritual healer, had faced allegations regarding the timing of her divorce before marrying Khan, in violation of Islamic law requiring a three-month waiting period. Both Khan and Bibi denied any wrongdoing during the trial.

This development comes on the heels of another appeals court upholding Khan and Bibi’s conviction and sentence just two weeks ago. The complicated legal battle faced by Khan, which includes more than 150 legal cases ranging from inciting violence to corruption, has been ongoing since his arrest in May 2023.

The acquittal also follows a recent ruling by Pakistan’s Supreme Court, which found that Khan’s party had been improperly denied seats in parliament, dealing a blow to the country’s governing coalition. Despite these challenges, Khan’s supporters remain loyal, and his political future in Pakistan remains uncertain. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.