Nikah case: Court orders open trial of Imran, wife in jail

ISLAMABAD: Senior Civil Judge Qudrat Ullah has issued an order for a jail trial in the illegal marriage case involving former prime minister and PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi. The court delivered its judgment here on Monday.

Bushra Bibi’s lawyer, Usman Gul, appeared before the court. Gul informed the court that Bushra Bibi was in Lahore and unable to attend the court session. In response, the court acknowledged that the ex-PTI chairman was in jail, whereas Bushra Bibi was not.

Gul said that Bushra Bibi was indisposed. The court commented that if she was genuinely ill, she should have attached a medical application along with her plea. The court also summoned the PTI founder in the case.

However, the jail authorities declined to present Imran Khan in court and submitted their reply. In the reply, the Adiala Jail superintendent said that the PTI founder could not be presented in court due to security threats. He mentioned that a letter was written to the police authorities for the appearance of the PTI founder, but they cited security risks.

Subsequently, the court ordered a jail trial against Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the illegal marriage case. According to the court order, the decision was made after considering the response from the superintendent of Adiala Jail regarding Imran Khan’s appearance in court.

The order said that the court recognises the need for the case trial to be held at a safer place, as suggested by the federal government, including Adiala Jail. Furthermore, the court specified that the next hearing of the illegal Nikkah case would take place in Adiala Jail and would be an open trial.

Family members and citizens interested in attending the hearing may do so, while media representatives and citizens can contact the superintendent under jail rules for attendance.

The order also accepted Bushra Bibi’s plea for exemption from court appearance, emphasising that she must attend the next hearing, and her exemption plea would not be accepted next time. The court adjourned further hearing of the case until December 22. It is worth noting that a jail trial is also ongoing against the PTI founder in cipher, ECP co tempt and Toshakhana cases.