The recent spate of court judgments against former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi has sent shockwaves through the nation just days before the crucial general elections on February 8. The latest verdict, a shocking seven-year jail term for violating Islamic law in their 2018 marriage, has sparked debates about the state of justice and the political landscape in Pakistan.
The case, initiated by Bibi’s former husband Khawar Maneka, alleges a violation of the Islamic requirement for a three-month waiting period after divorce before remarrying. Maneka asserts that he divorced Bibi in November 2017, while Khan announced his marriage to her in February 2018, months before becoming the prime minister of Pakistan. The civil court, situated within the Adiala Jail where Khan is currently imprisoned, not only sentenced the couple to seven years but also imposed a fine of one million rupees ($3,560).
This judgment marks the third legal setback for Khan in the same week. Earlier on January 30, he and his aide Shah Mehmood Qureshi were sentenced to 10 years for allegedly leaking a confidential cable. Khan contended that the document contained evidence of a conspiracy involving the Pakistani military, his political rivals, and US officials to remove him from power in April 2022—a charge both Washington and the Pakistani army vehemently denied. The following day, Khan and Bibi received a 14-year imprisonment and a hefty fine in a case related to the illegal sale of gifts received during Khan’s tenure as prime minister.
The speed with which these judgments were delivered has raised concerns about the fairness and impartiality of the legal proceedings in the neighbouring country. Critics within Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), argue that the haste in these trials undermines the integrity of the judicial process and raises questions about the upcoming elections.
The series of convictions against the former prime minister have also cast a long shadow over the upcoming elections, where Khan is barred from contesting, and the PTI faces significant restrictions, including being stripped of its election symbol.
Despite these legal challenges, most surveys continue to indicate Khan as the country’s most popular leader. The ongoing legal battles and political restrictions on the PTI have prompted concerns about the democratic process in Pakistan, with some questioning the motives behind the swift legal actions against Khan. As things stand, the establishment in Pakistan has ensured that Khan does not return to power and his party is dismantled. This doesn’t bode well for the country’s fragile democratic system, and in the long run for the country itself. If no corrective measures are taken, Pakistan seems headed for more turmoil in future.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
