Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan expressed on Saturday deep disappointment with the recent court decision that sentenced Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 7 years in prison in the nikah case.
Speaking to media persons in Islamabad, Mr Gohar claimed that the case was politically motivated, and criticized the swift delivery of the verdict without allowing them to present evidence or cross-examine.
"We are disappointed with the court's decision; we were not allowed to submit evidence and cross-examine. The verdict was delivered within 10 minutes of the delay," stated Barrister Gauhar during the press conference.
Read here: All you need to know about Imran-Bushra nikah case
He went on to allege that the initiation of the case was driven by political grounds, and expressed concern over the judge not yet signing the judgment or providing a copy to the defense.
He called the situation unconstitutional and illegal, accusing those involved of attempting to achieve political goals and tarnish the character of Imran Khan.
Highlighting the unusual circumstances surrounding the case, Barrister Gohar stressed, "Cases are being framed against the man whose government was overthrown by conspiracy, for the first time in the history of Pakistan that a case has been framed against a trustee."
Addressing the issue of the judge not providing a copy of the judgment, Barrister explained, "The law is that the judge has to provide a copy of any decision and take the signature of the opposite party, but nothing has been done."
In response to questions from reporters, the PTI supremo revealed details about the court's ruling, stating, "The judge ruled that the ceremony was a marriage ceremony that Imran Khan had for his family, for which the marriage copy is one and the marriage is one.
The court has said that it has justified this ceremony by considering it as a marriage, while the actual marriage was said to be within the period of Eid, so it sentenced Imran Khan and his wife."
The PTI chief concluded the press conference by reiterating faith in the judiciary and appealing for just judgments that protect fundamental rights. The unfolding events continue to raise questions about the fairness and motivations behind the legal proceedings.
