On June 25, the court reserved the verdict on the pleas of Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, with judge Majoka stating that the reserved judgment would be pronounced on June 27 at 3 pm.
On June 14, after receiving an order from the Islamabad High Court (IHC), the sessions court judge pledged to pass a decision on the appeals filed against the sentences in the Iddat case within 10 days if he remains alive.
Before adjourning the proceedings until June 21, Judge Afzal Majoka of the district and sessions court took up the appeals requesting early hearing of the petitions which requested the suspension of the sentences awarded to PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the case.
Also read: Judge vows to pass verdict on Imran, Bushra’s pleas by June 27
The IHC ordered the sessions court to decide on the appeals within 10 days. IHC Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb also ordered the sessions court to decide on their pleas against their convictions in the case within one month.
On February 3, the couple was convicted by a trial court for contracting marriage during Bushra Bibi’s Iddat period. They were sentenced to seven years in jail with a fine of Rs500,000 each.
The appellants challenged the conviction before district and sessions judge Shahrukh Arjumand, who recused himself at a time when the hearing had been concluded and the court was supposed to announce the verdict.
During Friday’s hearing, advocate Usman Riaz Gul represented Bushra Bibi and presented the written decision from the IHC, pleading for an expedited hearing in the light of the IHC’s direction.
After receiving the order, the judge remarked that he would announce a decision within 10 days if circumstances permitted, but holding the hearing the following day wasn't feasible because of the huge number of pending bail applications fixed for tomorrow.
The judge remarked that even if the opposing party failed to appear, he would proceed with the decision-making process.
Subsequently, the court issued notices to the parties and adjourned the proceedings until June 21.
