Iddat Nikkah case: Verdict to be announced by July 12
Pakistan
Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard the central appeals filed against the case
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The District and Session Court Islamabad emphasized on Wednesday that the verdict in Iddat Nkkah Case against PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi would be announced by July 12.
Additional district and sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka heard the central appeals filed against the case.
The court, meanwhile, adjourned the hearing on appeals against the conviction of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi in the Nikkah Iddat case until July 8.
As the hearing began, Imran Khan’s counsel Salman Akram raja gave the reference of Section 7 of the Muslim Family Law.
In response, Judge Majoka raised a question, “"Are you saying that Section 7 does not apply in this case?"
Raja cited judicial decisions on Muslim law, mentioning that family law is part of personal law and falls under the jurisdiction of the Shariat Court.
The court highlighted that Section 7 cannot be used to exert pressure.
The judge observed that in one case, a woman claimed maintenance despite the lack of a Section 7 notice which the court granted.
Raja argued that a woman could marry without a Union Council certificate and that invalidating thousands of marriages annually would create numerous inheritance issues.
Citing the Allahd dad case, he said the court ruled that the Iddat restarts upon the husband's death. Various interpretations of the Iddat period were discussed, including the acceptance of 39 days and three menstrual cycles.
Adding that court should give importance to the woman’s testimony, Raja alleged that the statements of all witnesses, including Khawar Maneka and Latif, are based on lies.
Later, Barrister Salman Safdar was asked to provide counterarguments.
Safdar requested that his arguments be scheduled for Monday as he was unavailable the next day. He assured the court that he would conclude his arguments within two hours.
Judge Majoka reiterated that the court must deliver its decision by July 12.
The case
On February 3, Imran and Bushra Bibi were sentenced in the Iddat Nikkah case. Then, the appeal was filed in the sessions court. Judge Arjumand heard the appeal and was expected to announce his ruling on May 29, when he requested the IHC to send the case to another judge.
On June 9, Bushra Bibi filed a petition in the IHC seeking the suspension of her conviction and sentencing in the Iddat case.
On June 14, the IHC ordered the additional sessions court of Islamabad to decide the appeals of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra against their conviction in the Iddat Nikkah case in one month.
