Pakistan Court Overturns Convictions of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi In a significant turn of events, a Pakistani court has overturned the convictions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a corruption case. The couple was previously sentenced to five years in prison for allegedly selling state gifts received during Khan’s tenure in office. The Islamabad High Court on Monday ruled that the trial court had erred in its proceedings and that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against Khan and Bibi. The court ordered their immediate release from Adiala Jail, where they had been detained since November 2022. The corruption case against Khan and Bibi stemmed from allegations that they sold luxury watches and other gifts received from foreign dignitaries for personal gain. The prosecution argued that the gifts belonged to the state and should have been deposited into the national treasury. However, the defense maintained that Khan and Bibi were entitled to use the gifts as they wished and that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing. The defense also argued that the trial was politically motivated and aimed at targeting Khan. The court agreed with the defense’s arguments and found that the prosecution had not provided sufficient evidence to support the charges. The court also criticized the trial court for not providing the accused with a fair trial and for relying on “hearsay” evidence. The overturning of Khan and Bibi’s convictions is a major victory for the former prime minister and his supporters. It is seen as a vindication of their claims of political victimization and a blow to the current Pakistani government, which had been accused of targeting Khan. Khan, who was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, has been a vocal critic of the current government and has led numerous protests against it. He has maintained his innocence in the corruption case and has vowed to continue his political activities.Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Wife Acquitted of Unlawful Marriage ChargesFormer Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Wife Acquitted of Unlawful Marriage Charges Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been acquitted of unlawful marriage charges by a court in Islamabad. The couple were sentenced to seven years in prison in February for reportedly violating Muslim family law, but the court ordered their immediate release from jail pending any outstanding charges. Conviction and Sentencing The conviction stemmed from a complaint filed by Bibi’s former husband, alleging that her marriage to Khan was illegal because she had not completed the mandatory “iddat” period, a waiting period prescribed in Islamic law for widows and divorcees before they can remarry. The court fined Khan and Bibi PKR500,000 and sentenced them to seven years in jail. Acquittal and Release However, on Saturday, the court overturned the conviction and ordered the release of Khan and Bibi. The judge stated that if they were not wanted in any other cases, they should be released immediately. The ruling marks a significant victory for Khan, who has faced multiple legal challenges since being ousted from power in 2022. Political Nature of Charges Khan and his supporters have consistently claimed that the charges against him are politically motivated, aimed at discrediting him and preventing him from returning to power. He has been acquitted or granted bail in several other cases, including charges of exposing state secrets and corruption. Implications for Women Khan’s close aide, Syed Zulfikar Bukhari, expressed concerns that the unlawful marriage case could have set a dangerous precedent for women in Pakistan. He stated that husbands could have gotten their ex-wives’ marriages declared illegal without any evidence, leaving them vulnerable. Further Developments PTI has alleged that Khan has been arrested in three other cases immediately after the court verdict. However, his wife is expected to be released soon as she has no other cases against her. It remains to be seen how the acquittal of Khan and Bibi will impact the ongoing political situation in Pakistan.In a significant legal development, a Pakistan court has overturned the convictions of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a case related to the sale of gifts received during Khan’s tenure. The couple was sentenced to three and a half years in prison last month by an anti-corruption court, sparking protests and criticism from supporters. However, on appeal, the Islamabad High Court set aside the convictions, deeming the evidence against them insufficient. The court ordered the immediate release of Khan and Bibi, who were taken into custody after their initial sentencing. The ruling has been met with relief by their supporters and legal experts, who argued that the case was politically motivated. Khan and Bibi were accused of selling gifts received from foreign dignitaries during Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister. The prosecution alleged that they profited from the sale of these gifts, which included expensive watches and jewelry. However, the defense contended that the gifts belonged to Khan personally and that there was no evidence of any illegal activity. The court agreed with this argument and found that the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The overturning of the convictions is a major setback for the government, which had pursued the case against Khan and Bibi aggressively. It is also a vindication for Khan, who has maintained his innocence throughout the trial. The ruling is expected to have significant political implications. Khan remains a popular figure in Pakistan and his release from prison could galvanize his supporters ahead of upcoming elections.