The Additional Session Judge of Islamabad District and Sessions Court has indicated that the court intends to wrap up the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi's nikah during her iddat period case by July 8.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka heard the appeals against the convictions in the nikah case and emphasised the need to conclude the case by this deadline, as per the high court's direction to conclude the case within a month.
PTI founder Imran Khan's lawyer Salman Akram Raja appeared in court and argued that bad intent and fraud share the common element of intention, and if there was a right of reconciliation from the ex-husband [Khawar Maneka], it is a civil matter, not a criminal one.
He added that merely stating the intention to reconcile with Bushra Bibi from ex-husband Khawar Maneka is insufficient; if fraud had occurred, it should have been immediately addressed in court.
Raja also mentioned that the Supreme Court's judgments from 1992 and 1994 are still valid, and referenced several Supreme Court decisions.
Imran Khan's lawyer also clarified that the 90-day period is not for iddat but for reconciliation and should not be weaponized against women.
Raja pointed out inconsistencies in the testimony of key witnesses, including Mufti Saeed and Khawar Maneka, asserting that their statements were proven false.
He argued that the claim of a second marriage does not prove whether the iddat period was completed, suggesting the case was fabricated to target Imran Khan.
During the hearing, Khawar Maneka's lawyer requested an adjournment of the case until July 5 due to his engagements in the High Court. Meanwhile, Bushra Bibi's lawyer, Usman Riaz Gul, indicated they would need one day for arguments.
The Judge scheduled the next hearing for tomorrow at 11 am and instructed Imran Khan's lawyer to complete his arguments, followed by Barrister Salman Safdar the day after.
Khawar Maneka's lawyer was given the option to conclude arguments on either July 4 or 8, emphasising the court's intention to conclude the case by July 8.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing until Wednesday, July 3, at 11 am.
Reporter: Hashar Warriach