In a legal saga unfolding in Pakistan, former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been acquitted of charges related to their marriage, overturning a previous conviction upheld by an appeals court just weeks ago. The case, initially ruling their union in violation of Islamic law, had shadowed Khan's political career, influencing public perception and legal proceedings during a critical election period.
The Islamabad court's decision on Saturday to accept the couple’s appeals marks a significant turn in their legal ordeal. Zulfi Bukhari, a senior official from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, confirmed to Al Jazeera that the charges against them have been dismissed. Khan’s lawyer, Naeem Panjutha, echoed this sentiment on social media, asserting their acquittal.
Despite this legal victory, Khan remains in detention due to separate charges of inciting riots, a case that saw his bail revoked earlier this week. Intazar Hussain Panjutha, another lawyer representing Khan, clarified that despite the acquittal in the marriage case, his client’s release is not imminent.
Recent legal battles have underscored the complexity of Khan’s political and legal predicaments. A Lahore anti-terrorism court’s approval of Khan’s arrest in connection with last year’s riots signals ongoing legal scrutiny despite his incarceration. This persistent legal entanglement complicates Khan’s efforts to regain political momentum amidst a backdrop of electoral setbacks and opposition maneuvers.
The case against Khan and Bibi stemmed from allegations by Bibi’s former husband, Khawar Maneka, who contended that Bibi did not observe the mandatory three-month waiting period required under Islamic law before marrying Khan. The controversy surrounding their marriage emerged shortly before Khan’s ascendancy to the prime ministership in 2018.
Bukhari highlighted that the acquittal in the marriage case removes the primary legal obstacle to Bibi’s release from custody and emphasized the expectation for her immediate release. This development follows international scrutiny, with a United Nations panel recently criticizing Khan’s detention as arbitrary and politically motivated, urging his immediate release.
The legal battles come against a backdrop of political turbulence in Pakistan. Khan’s PTI, despite winning the most seats in the general election, faced exclusion from government by a coalition of military-backed rival parties. A recent Supreme Court decision granting PTI eligibility for reserved seats in national and provincial assemblies has been a notable legal triumph amidst broader political challenges.
Khan, a former cricket star turned politician, served as Pakistan’s prime minister from 2018 to 2022, until his removal via a no-confidence vote amid tensions with the military establishment. His tenure was marked by defiance against military influence, which he accused of attempting to assassinate him, further straining civil-military relations.
However, Khan’s political resurgence has been marred by a series of legal battles widely perceived as politically motivated. His arrest in May 2023 triggered nationwide protests among PTI supporters, leading to a government crackdown that significantly weakened the party’s leadership.
As PTI continues to navigate legal and political challenges, Khan’s ongoing detention and the complexities of Pakistan’s legal system underscore the fragile interplay between law, politics, and military influence in the country’s democratic landscape.
