ISLAMABAD: A local court on Saturday dismissed a petition seeking action against PTI chairman Imran Khan for reportedly marrying Bushra Bibi during the latter’s Iddat period.

Iddat is a 130-day waiting period, or a period of abstinence, after the dissolution of a woman’s marriage during which she is supposed to remain unmarried.

Senior Civil Judge Nasrum Minallah dismissed the case because it fell outside the territorial jurisdiction of the court in Islamabad.

During the hearing, he questioned how a court in Islamabad could make a decision regarding an incident that took place in Lahore.

Mr Khan tied the knot with Bushra Bibi on January 1, 2018, in Lahore.

According to a witness named Aun Chaudhry, who was previously a close aide to Mr Khan but is currently serving as an Advisor to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the PTI chairman had informed him that the reason for marrying Bushra Bibi on the first day of 2018 was due to her forecast that Mr Khan would become the prime minister if they married on that specific day.

The court had previously reserved its decision on the maintainability of the petition on May 5.

When the court resumed the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, argued that since the second Nikah ceremony of Mr Khan took place in Islamabad and the couple is also living here, therefore, the court can assume jurisdiction in this matter.

He argued that Mr Khan, driven by his anxiety to become the prime minister, disregarded the Iddat period and married Bushra Bibi.

He referred to this act as unlawful and contrary to the principles of Islam.

The judge noted that the Nikkah was solemnised in Lahore, therefore, it is beyond the territorial jurisdiction of an Islamabad court.

He stated that such a petition could only be filed within the territorial jurisdiction of Lahore.

Subsequently, he declared the petition as non-maintainable.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2023