Pakistan Court Rejects Appeal by Imran Khan and Wife in Unlawful Marriage Case

The court in Islamabad made its ruling on Thursday, maintaining the seven-year jail sentence handed down on February 3. This verdict was announced just five days before Pakistan’s general elections and followed two other convictions for Khan in separate cases, both of which have since been overturned.

The marriage case was brought last year by Bibi’s former husband, Khawar Maneka, who claimed that his ex-wife did not observe the mandatory three-month waiting period required under Islamic law before marrying Khan. Maneka stated he divorced Bibi in November 2017, while Khan announced his marriage to Bibi in February 2018, just months before he became the prime minister.

Khan and Bibi have filed multiple appeals against the conviction, seeking to suspend the judgment. Despite their efforts, the court’s recent decision has upheld the original ruling. Another appeal to annul the February conviction is scheduled to be heard from July 2.

This ongoing legal battle has drawn significant public attention, highlighting the complexities and controversies surrounding the high-profile couple’s marriage. As they prepare for the next round of legal proceedings, the case continues to capture the nation’s interest and raise questions about the interplay between personal lives and public office in Pakistan.