Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Khan, received a seven-year prison sentence on Saturday for violating the law in their 2018 marriage. This follows two other rulings earlier in the week, including a 10-year sentence for leaking state secrets and a 14-year sentence for illegally selling state gifts. The judgments come just days before the national elections, from which Khan is disqualified. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Khan, denounced the rulings, alleging a lack of due process and a mockery of the law.
The court imposed a seven-year prison term and a $1,800 fine on both Imran and Bushra Khan. The charges against Bushra included an accusation of not observing the waiting period mandated by Islam, known as “Iddat,” after divorcing her previous husband before marrying Imran Khan.
The controversy surrounding the Khans’ marriage began when they signed their marriage contract, or “Nikkah,” in January 2018, seven months before Imran Khan became prime minister. Disputes arose over whether the marriage occurred before the required waiting period was complete. Initially, the PTI denied the marriage, but later confirmed it. Imran Khan and Bushra both denied any wrongdoing.
Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Rawalpindi, is already facing a 10-year disqualification from holding public office. His wife will serve her sentence at their residence in Islamabad. The PTI criticized the rushed court proceedings, alleging a lack of cross-examination and due process, raising concerns about the fairness of the upcoming elections scheduled for February 8.
The criminal complaint against the Khans was brought by Bushra’s ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, whom she had been married to for approximately 30 years. While Khan has often referred to Bushra as his spiritual leader, her devotion to Sufism, a mystical form of Islam, became a focal point in the legal proceedings.
Khan has been embroiled in numerous legal battles since his ousting from power in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022. He alleges that his removal was orchestrated by the military, with whom he had a falling out during his tenure. Khan and his party claim to be victims of a military-backed crackdown, citing arrests of supporters, party members, and key aides. The military denies these allegations.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB), an anti-graft agency, has led the prosecution against Khan. Notably, NAB has investigated, tried, and jailed all prime ministers who have served since 2008, including Nawaz Sharif, whose party is considered the frontrunner in the upcoming elections. Imran Khan’s legal challenges continue, with representatives indicating plans to appeal the recent rulings.
(With inputs from Reuters)