An Islamabad court reserved its verdict on Tuesday. The court considered suspending sentences for Imran Khan aka IK and his wife Bushra Bibi. They received sentences in an iddat case.
On Saturday, Judge Afzal Majoka resumed the iddat case hearing. He asked Zahid Asif, lawyer for Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, to finish his arguments by June 25. The court would then consider the main appeals.
The couple was convicted on February 3. They married during Bushra Bibi’s Iddat period. They received seven years in jail and a fine of Rs500,000 each.
They appealed the conviction before Judge Shahrukh Arjumand. He recused himself after the hearing concluded. The case then moved to Judge Afzal Majoka. Bushra Bibi’s lawyer sought her release and sentence suspension.
The Islamabad High Court ordered a decision in 10 days. The judgment faced criticism from civil society. Activists and lawyers called it a blow to women’s dignity. Protests took place in Islamabad and Karachi.
Imran’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, argued today. He said the case lost significance due to delay. The iddat case was filed six years late. There was no reason for the delay, he argued.
Safdar mentioned Bushra Bibi is a mother of five. He said this justified the suspension. He also argued she was absent when charges were framed.
Maneka’s lawyer, Zahid Asif, argued against this. He said Bushra Bibi was present when indicted. She left afterward. Judge Majoka questioned why the appeal was not timely. He asked if the complainant faced pressure.
Asif replied that decent people avoid publicizing family matters. The judge reserved the verdict. The decision will come on June 27 at 3 pm.
To read our blog on “What is Al Qadir trust case that lead to IK arrest on 9 May,” click here.