Islamabad — A Pakistani court has upheld the conviction of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a high‑profile unlawful marriage case first decided in February. The district and sessions court’s affirmation means the couple’s seven‑year prison sentences and fines remain in effect, despite strong objections from their legal team and supporters that the ruling was unjustly applied.
Their lawyers had sought to suspend the sentence and overturn the February judgment, arguing that the evidence did not legally justify invalidating the marriage under the iddat rules of Islamic law. However, the court rejected these pleas, keeping both Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in custody.
Legal proceedings are set to continue with a crucial new hearing scheduled for July 2, when the Islamabad district court will review the main appeal to annul the initial conviction. The outcome of this session could shape the future legal status of the couple and influence ongoing political debates in Pakistan.
Senior leaders of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI) party have condemned the ruling, calling for renewed legal and political action, while critics argue that upholding the conviction reinforces the rule of law.
