The hearing is being presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka. Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi’s legal team, including Salman Safdar, Usman Gul, Khalid Yousuf Chaudhry, and others, were present in court.
At the start of the hearing, Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Salman Safdar, referred to the dismissal of a review petition by the Islamabad High Court, stating that everything is now clear and the old timeline has been maintained by the High Court.
In response, the judge remarked that the matter before this court is still pending and that the final decision would be as per the High Court’s directions. The lawyer suggested that if there was any genuine reason to adjourn the hearing, they would support it, noting that the correct path for the complainants would have been to challenge the Islamabad High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court. He added that the session judge had granted a ten-day absence for the complainant, but they had the option to appoint another counsel.
The lawyer further mentioned that two decisions had already been issued by the Islamabad High Court and questioned whether relief was only being given to Islamabad lawyers.
Judge Afzal Majoka requested a half-hour break, proposing to resume the hearing at 1:30 PM. Zahid Asif’s assistant lawyer, representing Khawar Maneka, stated that the review and pending applications were separate and that general adjournment applications are submitted in the session judge’s court.
The judge indicated that he had received a call from the Islamabad High Court office confirming that two appeals had been dismissed and requested time to inform the court about this application by 1:30 PM.
PTI’s lawyers objected to Zahid Asif’s assistant lawyer speaking, but he continued, noting that the court had previously informed the High Court about the adjournment application.
The court then took a recess until 1:30 PM.
After the break, Judge Afzal Majoka asked Salman Safdar to begin his arguments. Safdar started by stating that Usman Riaz Gul and Khadija Siddiqi would argue on specific points, with him initially addressing political vendetta. He argued that Bushra Bibi was facing political retaliation due to her marriage to Imran Khan, a former Prime Minister, and highlighted that the case was a significant example of the retaliation faced by Imran Khan.
He noted that the Toshakhana cases against Imran Khan were politically motivated, claiming there were no other cases against the couple except this one.
Salman Safdar also requested that some women waiting outside be allowed into the courtroom, to which the judge responded that it was up to the administration.
Safdar then argued that public perception should not criminalize marriage during the waiting period (Iddat), stating that this was the only case of its kind he had seen. He added that prosecution in such cases only aims to emotionally and morally weaken individuals, mentioning that prosecution of a marital dispute was unprecedented.
Barrister Salman Safdar emphasized the unusual nature of the case, stating that other high-profile cases, including those involving Ajmal Kasab, Benazir Bhutto, and Mumtaz Qadri, were handled in jail but not like this. He criticized the judicial system for setting up court at night to deliver the conviction and for making a mockery of the law.
He further argued that the case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi was an attempt to undermine them emotionally and morally, highlighting the absurdity of prosecuting a personal matter like marriage.
It is noteworthy that earlier today, the Islamabad High Court dismissed the review petition against its order to decide the central appeals within a month.
Yesterday, during the hearing of the central appeals, Judge Afzal Majoka emphasized the importance of the Islamabad High Court’s order and stated that he could not think of violating it.
On July 3, the Islamabad District and Sessions Court postponed the hearing of the central appeals until July 8, with Judge Afzal Majoka indicating that a decision must be made by July 12.
On June 2, lawyer Salman Akram Raja partially argued against the dismissal of the suspension request.
On June 27, the Islamabad District and Sessions Courts rejected the suspension request of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the Iddat Nikah case.
On June 13, the Islamabad High Court directed to decide the appeals within ten days and also ordered a decision on the main appeals within a month.
Background of the Iddat Nikah Case
On February 3, a civil court sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to seven years in prison each for marrying during the waiting period (Iddat).
On January 31, the Islamabad High Court reserved its decision on the petitions by Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to dismiss the case.
Earlier, on January 18, the Islamabad High Court Chief Justice was sent the case file based on Imran Khan’s petition against the Iddat Nikah case.
It is noteworthy that on January 16, charges were framed against Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the Iddat Nikah case.
On January 15, Bushra Bibi challenged the unlawful marriage case in the Islamabad High Court, with the case file being sent to the Chief Justice on January 17.
Background of the Case
Last year, on November 25, Khawar Maneka filed a case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi for marrying during the waiting period (Iddat) in the Islamabad Civil Judge Qudrat’s court. The case was filed under sections 494/34, B-496, and other relevant provisions.
The petition claimed that Khawar Maneka, belonging to the Maneka family of Pakpattan, had been married to Bushra Bibi since 1989. The marriage was stable until Imran Khan intervened during the Islamabad sit-in through Bushra Bibi’s sister, who resides in the UAE and allegedly has strong connections with the Jewish lobby.
Khawar Maneka stated that Imran Khan frequently visited their home under the guise of spiritual guidance, even in Maneka's absence, which was against both ethical and Islamic societal norms.
He further claimed that Imran Khan began interfering in their marital life, despite warnings, and was eventually removed from the house inappropriately.
Khawar Maneka revealed that one day, upon returning home, he found Zulfi Bukhari alone in their bedroom, who often accompanied Imran Khan.
He stated that Bushra Bibi started visiting Bani Gala without his permission, despite his attempts to prevent her, which led to heated exchanges.
Maneka alleged that Bushra Bibi had multiple mobile phones and SIM cards provided by Farah Gogi on Imran Khan’s instructions.
Khawar Maneka accused Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi of having an illicit relationship before their marriage, as confirmed by a servant named Latif.
Despite attempts to reconcile for the sake of the family, Khawar Maneka divorced Bushra Bibi on November 14, 2017.
The petition claimed that Bushra Bibi married Imran Khan on January 1, 2018, during her waiting period, making the marriage unlawful and against Islamic teachings. It also mentioned that after the unlawful marriage came to light, the couple remarried in February 2018 through Mufti Saeed.
Khawar Maneka requested that Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi be summoned and punished severely according to the Constitution and law.
On December 11, the local court in Islamabad declared the unlawful marriage case against Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi admissible.
