SLAMABAD: On Thursday, a district and sessions court in Islamabad denied the requests to suspend the sentences imposed on Imran Khan, the founder of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and his spouse Bushra Bibi in the iddat case.
The PTI, whose leaders were anticipating for Imran’s release today, strongly condemned the ruling, calling it “absolutely ridiculous.” They also organized a protest outside the Adiala jail, where the court had been set up to safeguard the security of the former prime minister.
Extra Meetings Judge Afzal Majoka rendered the decision today, reserving the hearing until Tuesday. The primary argument regarding the nullification of their conviction is scheduled for July 2.
In February of this year, the PTI founder and Bushra received seven-year prison sentences each after a trial court ruled that their nikah was phony in response to a motion filed by Bushra’s ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, to have the couple’s marriage declared unlawful.
The court stated in the ten-page judgment that there was no justification for the sentence to be suspended.
“There is no basis for the sentence to be suspended, and both petitioners are eligible to do so.” As a result, both of the section 426 Cr.PC. petitions are denied,” the statement read.
