An appeal challenging the acquittal of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in the iddat case has been referred to the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court for the formation of a new bench.
The hearing, presided over by Additional Judge Azam Khan, included arguments from both sides.
The petitioner, Khawar Maneka, was represented by legal counsel Zahid Asif Chaudhry and Iqbal Kakur, among others.
The lawyers, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, represented the respondent lawyers Ali Bukhari, Shoaib Shaheen and Niazullah Niazi.
During the proceedings, Zahid Asif Chaudhry argued that the order of acquittal issued on July 13, 2024 by the Additional Sessions Judge was challenged.
In response, Shoaib Shaheen raised concerns about the impartiality of the court and requested that the case be transferred to another panel of judges.
“You have already revealed your position; this case should be moved to another bench,” argued Shoaib Shaheen.
Addressing the concerns, Justice Azam Khan stated, “We have earlier heard a request for revision against an order. In view of your request, we will forward the matter to the Chief Justice for the formation of a new bench.”
After this, the court officially transferred the appeal cases to Chief Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court.
The iddat case revolves around allegations that the marriage between Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi took place during Bushra’s iddat period, a duration prescribed by Islamic law after divorce.
Both were acquitted in July 2024, but due to legal objections there was an appeal in court.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq will now decide the composition of the new bench to hear the appeal.
Imran, Bushra convicted in £190m case
Earlier this month, former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were convicted in the £190 million case. Imran Khan was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Bushra Bibi was given seven years in prison.
Accountability Judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the order in a courtroom inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, where Imran had been detained for over a year.
In addition to the jail terms, the court imposed fines of Rs 1 million on Imran and Rs 500,000 on Bushra. If the fines are not paid, Imran Khan will serve an additional six months in prison and Bushra Bibi will face an additional three months.
The judgment also declared that the property belonging to the “sham trust”, the Al-Qadir University Project Trust, must be forfeited to the federal government in accordance with Section 10(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
The verdict was announced under tight security outside the prison. After the verdict, Bushra Bibi was immediately arrested in the courtroom.
