Pakistan court reserves verdict on pleas against ruling Imran Khan, wife violated marriage law

Pakistan's former Prime Minister, Imran Khan (R) along with his wife Bushra Bibi (L) looks on as he signs surety bonds for bail in various cases, at a registrar office in the High court, in Lahore on July 17, 2023. (AFP/File)
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Updated 25 June 2024
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Pakistan court reserves verdict on pleas against ruling Imran Khan, wife violated marriage law

  • Khan, wife Bushra sentenced to seven years in prison in February by court that ruled their 2018 marriage illegal 
  • Criminal complaint against marriage was brought by Bushra’s ex-husband to whom she was wedded for 30 years

ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court on Tuesday reserved its verdict on pleas filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi seeking the suspension of a ruling that they had violated the country’s marriage law.

Khan and his wife were sentenced to seven years in prison and fined in February by a court that ruled their 2018 marriage broke the law. Bushra was accused of not completing the waiting period mandated by Islam, called “Iddat,” after divorcing her previous husband and marrying Khan.

The Khans signed their marriage contract, or “Nikkah,” in January 2018 in a secret ceremony seven months before the former cricket superstar became prime minister for the first time. There was controversy over whether they had wed before the Iddat period was complete. After initial denials of the marriage, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf confirmed it weeks later.

The Khans both deny wrongdoing in the Iddat case.

“Court has reserved the decision till Thursday, June 27,” the PTI said in a text message to reporters. “Iddat case bail petition, with Barrister Slaman Safdar representing Former Prime Minister Imran Khan and former First lady Bushra Bibi, concluded arguments today.”

Khan is currently in jail and faces a string of legal cases. His convictions ruled the 71-year-old out of the February general elections as convicted felons cannot run for public office under Pakistani law. Arguably Pakistan’s most popular politician, Khan says all cases against him are motivated to keep him out of politics.

The criminal complaint against Khan and Bushra’s marriage was brought by her ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, to whom she was married for about 30 years.

Khan has often called Bushra his spiritual leader. She is known for her devotion to Sufism, a mystical form of Islam.

Born Bushra Riaz Watto, she changed her name to Khan after her marriage. Her husband and followers commonly refer to her as Bushra Bibi or Bushra Begum, titles that denote respect in the Urdu language.

Khan’s two previous marriages — to Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of tycoon James Goldsmith, and television journalist Reham Nayyar Khan — ended in divorce.


JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

Updated 24 min 59 sec ago
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JazzCash signs deal with Binance in UAE to explore regulated crypto adoption in Pakistan

  • MoU focuses on awareness and development of compliant virtual-asset solutions in Pakistan
  • Pakistan introducing licensing regime for crypto firms as it formalizes digital-asset oversight

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani financial-technology platform JazzCash has signed a memorandum of understanding with global cryptocurrency exchange Binance in the United Arab Emirates to explore cooperation on virtual-asset use and education in Pakistan, the company said on Wednesday.

The agreement sets a framework for discussions on awareness campaigns and future digital-asset products that would comply with Pakistan’s emerging crypto regulations. The move signals growing engagement between global blockchain companies and Pakistani fintechs as authorities shift toward formal licensing of the sector.

Pakistan has spent the past year drafting rules to regulate the fast-expanding market for digital coins and tokens, requiring virtual-asset service providers to obtain government approval. Officials say the transition is aimed at curbing money-laundering and terror financing risks, boosting transparency and encouraging responsible innovation.

“JazzCash has always championed technologies that expand financial access while promoting secure and inclusive participation in the digital economy," JazzCash Chief Executive Officer Murtaza Ali said. 

“By entering into this exploratory MoU with Binance, we are advancing our efforts to understand how global digital-asset trends can support Pakistan’s evolving regulatory landscape. We aim to engage responsibly, support regulatory progress, and advance opportunities that build trust, transparency and innovation for our customers.”

The MoU does not establish a commercial partnership, but marks one of the most high-profile engagements between Pakistan’s fintech sector and a global crypto exchange as the country moves toward regulated digital-asset adoption.

Binance welcomed the cooperation, framing it as part of Pakistan’s shift toward regulated digital-asset activity.

"With regulatory frameworks like [Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority] PVARA paving the way, this collaboration represents a significant step toward expanding financial inclusion and empowering more people to access the benefits of blockchain technology in a secure and compliant environment," Binance Chief Marketing Officer Rachel Conlan said.

Earlier this month, Binance executives met Pakistani finance officials to discuss digital-payments reform, blockchain-skills training and the potential for Web3-linked jobs. Pakistan also set up the Pakistan Crypto Council and formed PVARA this year to license and supervise crypto-asset service providers.