A Pakistani court has overturned the conviction and seven-year prison sentence of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife in a case related to their alleged unlawful marriage in 2018. The court's decision paves the way for Khan's release nearly a year after he was jailed.
The verdict was announced in Rawalpindi, where Khan is currently held. The acquittal follows a previous appeals court upholding the conviction and sentence of Khan and his wife just two weeks ago.
The court's brief order stated that if the couple is not wanted in any other case, they should be released. Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, a spiritual healer and his third wife, had been previously married and the timing of her divorce raised legal questions as Islamic law requires a waiting period before a new marriage.
The government's response to the court order remains unclear, as multiple cases have been registered against Khan since his ousting from power in 2022 through a vote of no-confidence in parliament.
Additionally, Pakistan's Supreme Court recently ruled that Khan's party was improperly denied at least 20 seats in parliament, impacting the country's governing coalition. While a political win for Khan, this ruling does not immediately affect the current government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Khan has faced over 150 legal cases, including charges of inciting violence, since his arrest in May 2023. His supporters engaged in nationwide riots following his arrest, leading to attacks on military and government buildings. The violence subsided upon Khan's release by the Supreme Court, only for him to be arrested again in August 2023 on corruption charges.
Despite his legal challenges, Khan has been granted bail in all the cases where he has been convicted. The former prime minister's legal battles continue as he navigates the complex political landscape of Pakistan.
