Pak Court Delays Imran and Bushra’s Appeal Hearing to April 15

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi (photo: Reuters)

Asif Iqbal | April 10, 2024 | 10:50 PM IST | Asia, Courts & Law, Pakistan News, World | Follow on Google News

Pak Court Delays Imran and Bushra’s Appeal Hearing to April 15

Pak Court Delays Imran and Bushra’s Appeal Hearing to April 15

The Session Judge (East), Shahrukh Arjumand, has rescheduled the hearing for appeals lodged by Imran Khan and his wife Bushra, founders of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), seeking the suspension of their convictions in the unlawful marriage case. The hearing is now slated for April 15th, according to a report from a Pakistan-based newspaper. This postponement came after Khawar Maneka’s lawyer, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, did not appear in court.

Imran Khan and Bushra were previously found guilty and sentenced to seven years in prison, with a fine of PKR 0.5 million each, for an unlawful marriage application filed by Bushra’s former husband, Khawar Maneka. The verdict was issued on February 3, 2024, as per The Nation.

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During the hearing, Raja Rizwan Abbasi’s associate informed the court of his inability to attend due to illness. However, Salman Akram Raja, representing Imran Khan, expressed dissatisfaction with Abbasi’s repeated absence, noting his failure to appear twice and the lack of a medical report for his absence.

Usman Gill, representing Bushra, requested a conditional suspension of the conviction for one week, but the court denied this plea.

Prosecutor Rana Hassan Abbas argued that the case lacked territorial jurisdiction since the marriage occurred in Lahore, while the trial was initiated in Islamabad. He cited a similar application filed by a citizen named Muhammad Hanif, which was rejected on similar grounds.

Salman Akram Raja and Usman Gill urged the court to deliver its verdict on Tuesday. However, Judge Shahrukh Arjumand stressed the importance of maintaining balance in proceedings and announced a shorter adjournment until April 15th.

He further stated that if Rizwan Abbasi fails to appear on that day, the verdict will be announced in his absence, as reported by The Nation.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.