Imran Khan faces new prison term in case linked to marriage

In a recent turn of events, former Pakistan cricket captain and Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has been handed a seven-year jail sentence, marking his third conviction this week. The latest ruling revolves around his marriage to his current wife Bushra Bibi, raising questions about the timing of their union after Bibi's previous divorce.

The court declared the marriage void, pointing to concerns over whether it occurred during Bibi's iddat period, a stipulation in Islamic and Pakistani law requiring a waiting period before a woman can remarry after a divorce. The intensely personal nature of Imran and Bibi's relationship was dissected in court, delving into details such as menstrual cycles to determine the iddat period.

The case, initiated by Bibi's former husband Khawar Fareed Maneka in 2023, gained momentum concurrently with Imran's escalating legal troubles. However, in a twist, Maneka had previously released a video in 2018, absolving Imran of any role in their divorce.

Both Imran and Bibi received seven-year sentences and fines of PKR 500,000 each. Previously implicated in the Toshakhana case, Bibi had been serving her sentence under house arrest. The impact of this new conviction on her status remains uncertain.

Although this latest sentence runs concurrently with Imran's existing convictions, it highlights the deteriorating relationship between Imran and the state. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), Imran's political party, criticized the verdict and said that Imran Khan and his begum were not given the right to defend themselves.

"How many people have fallen to bring down one person? In this case, Imran Khan and his begum [Bibi] were not given the right to defend themselves, nor were witnesses allowed to present themselves. When this case goes to the higher courts, in a minute this decision will be rejected and thrown into the trash," PTI said as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

Legal turmoil surrounds as lawyer denounces verdict amid election restrictions and human rights concerns.

Imran's lawyer denounced the verdict as "shameless and baseless," pledging to appeal the decision. This setback occurred just days before Pakistan's elections, from which Imran Khan and PTI are barred. Political rallies have faced police interventions, internet blackouts, and a ban on mentioning Imran's name on TV.

The International Federation for Human Rights condemned the convictions, citing a "disregard for basic principles of justice and due process." Despite this, Imran remains a popular figure in recent independent polls, raising questions about the fairness of the legal proceedings against him.

As Imran's legal battles continue, the nation watches closely, awaiting the outcome of the appeals and contemplating the broader implications for Pakistan's political landscape.