ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the sessions court to decide appeals of former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife Busrha Bibi against their conviction in Iddat case in a month.

IHC Justice Minagul Hassan Aurangzeb also issued direction to the sessions court of making a decision on releasing them on bail in 10 days and disposed of their petitions.

Mr Khan and Bushra Bibi petitioned before the IHC seeking suspension of their sentence.

Senior Civil Judge of Islamabad Qudratullah on Feb 3 convicted them for contracting marriage during Iddat period. They were sentenced seven years in jail, along with Rs500,000 fine each.

Mr Khan contended in the petition that the District and Sessions Judge recused himself from the case while he was scheduled to announce the decision on the appeals against the conviction.

He sought from the court to issue direction to the sessions judge for announcing the judgement.

Bushra Bibi was seeking suspension of her sentence, in addition to setting aside the conviction.

During the course of hearing Mr Khan’s counsel Salman Akram Raja requested the IHC to hear the petition or transfer it to the sessions court with a direction to adjudicate the matter within certain timeframe.

Advocate Raja Rizwan Abbasi on the other hand opposed the petition saying that their application seeking similar relief was pending adjudication before the sessions court.

Published in Dawn, June 14th, 2024