Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been sentenced to seven years in jail in the Iddat case. The verdict was delivered on February 3rd after a lengthy 14-hour hearing held at Adiala Jail on 2nd Feb 2024, where Judge Qudratullah reserved the judgmen.
The case, filed by Khawar Fareed Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, alleged violations under sections 34, 496, and 496B. Maneka also accused Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi of engaging in an illegal relationship
During the hearing, Advocate Latif Khosa cross-examined four key prosecution witnesses: Khawar Maneka, Aun Chaudhary, Mufti Saeed, and Muhammad Latif, an employee of Khawar Maneka.
Bushra Bibi, in her statement under Section 342, asserted that verbal talaq was given in April 2017, and she completed her mandatory Iddat period until August 2017. She further claimed that the divorce certificate issued in November was fabricated.
It is noteworthy that Imran Khan has recently faced legal challenges, including a 10-year sentence in the Cypher case and a 14-year sentence in the Toshakhana case.
These verdicts come just four days before the scheduled General Election on February 8, 2024, raising questions about the timing and potential impact on the political landscape. The Iddat case verdict adds another layer of complexity to the political scenario, as Imran Khan, the leader of the most famous party, now faces legal troubles ahead of a crucial election. The developments in these cases may significantly influence the electoral dynamics just days before the nation heads to the polls.
