Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Khan have been sentenced to seven years in prison and fined for an unlawful marriage, as ruled by a court ahead of the national elections. This marks the third legal setback for Khan in a week, with previous sentences for leaking state secrets and illegally selling state gifts. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party plans to appeal all three cases, raising concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections.
Khan, currently in prison in Rawalpindi, faces disqualification from holding public office for ten years. The rushed court hearings and lack of due process have sparked criticism from PTI, calling it a mockery of the law. The charges stem from Bushra Khan’s alleged failure to observe the waiting period mandated by Islam after divorcing her previous husband and marrying Khan.
The couple, fined 500,000 rupees each, signed their marriage contract in a secret ceremony seven months before Imran Khan became prime minister. Controversy arose over the timing of their marriage, initially denied by PTI but confirmed later. Khan and his wife maintain their innocence, denouncing the cases as fake.
Bushra’s ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, filed a criminal complaint, alleging wrongdoing by the Khans. Known for her devotion to Sufism, Bushra, formerly Bushra Riaz Watto, changed her name after marriage. Imran Khan, who often refers to Bushra as his spiritual leader, has been entangled in legal battles since his ousting in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022.
Khan and his party claim to be victims of a military-backed crackdown, including arrests of supporters and aides. The military denies involvement, while the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), responsible for putting Khan on trial, has a history of investigating and imprisoning prime ministers since 2008. As the legal challenges mount, Pakistan braces for the implications on the February 8th elections.
