The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan, and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have found themselves at the center of a controversy as a trial court sentenced them to seven years in jail for ‘unlawful’ marriage.
The court declared their marriage unlawful and un-Islamic, prompting Bushra Bibi to characterize the ongoing legal battle as a “war for honour.”
During an informal discussion with journalists, Bushra Bibi emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that it transcends mere legal proceedings and is, in fact, a struggle for honor and dishonor.
She maintained that the Holy Quran provides explicit guidance on the matter of “Iddat,” the waiting period following divorce or widowhood, and suggested that the court’s decision was akin to a “decision by Iblees (devil),” implying an unjust and possibly influenced ruling.
This development stems from a petition filed by Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, who alleged that her marriage with Imran Khan was un-Islamic and illegal.
The petition specifically contended that the nikah (Islamic marriage contract) and the subsequent marriage ceremony lacked legal and Islamic validity due to the absence of the required iddah period.
Senior civil judge Qudratullah delivered the verdict, imposing a fine of Rs500,000 on both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
The presence of both individuals in the courtroom during the announcement added to the gravity of the situation.
The complexity of the case has garnered widespread public attention, with the legal proceedings continuing to unfold amidst heightened scrutiny.
