A Pakistani court on Saturday July 13, 2024 overturned the convictions and seven-year sentences of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, but officials quickly moved to prevent his release from prison. - AP
ISLAMABAD: A court in Islamabad on Saturday (July 13) granted an appeal by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, overturning the verdict in an unlawful marriage case, paving way for Khan's possible release, reported Sputnik.
Khan and his wife have previously been sentenced to seven years in prison for allegedly marrying too soon after Bibi’s divorce from a previous marriage in violation of Muslim norms.
"Both appeals filed by appellants 1 and 2 are admitted, the judgment of the trial court dated February 3, 2024 is overturned and consequently both appellants are acquitted of the charge," the ruling read.
It also said that unless any other charges were pending against the former prime minister and his wife, they should be released from jail immediately.
Khan, who headed the government of Pakistan from 2018 to 2022, was removed from office on April 10, 2022, following a vote of no confidence.
In August 2023, Khan was arrested in a fraud case involving the sale of valuables stored in the state treasury. Several other charges were later filed against him, including treason for distributing classified information and several others.
During the appeals process, most of the charges against Khan were dropped, but the former prime minister remained in custody in the unlawful marriage case. - Bernama
