PTI lawyers attack Khawar Maneka in court amid un-islamic Nikah case hearing

In an unpleasant turn of events, lawyers from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) attacked Khawar Maneka, the ex-husband of former first lady Bushra Bibi, on Wednesday at a district and sessions court in Islamabad. Maneka was present for a hearing regarding the un-Islamic nikah case.
During the hearing of appeals filed by Bushra Bibi and her husband, PTI founder Imran Khan, against their conviction in the iddat case, Judge Shahrukh Arjumand retreated to his chamber without announcing the verdict. Following this, PTI lawyers began throwing bottles in the courtroom, prompting Maneka’s lawyers to escort him out. During the escort, a PTI lawyer attacked Maneka, causing him to fall to the ground. The court had previously reserved the verdict on May 23, which was supposed to be announced today.Read more: PML-N and PPP invite PTI for political dialogue
In January, Maneka challenged the marriage of Khan and Bushra Bibi, claiming it was fraudulent as it occurred during her iddat (the period a woman observes after divorce or her husband’s death). In February, the trial court sentenced the couple to seven years in prison and fined them Rs500,000 each. The 51-page verdict stated that the records proved Khan and Bushra were involved before their “fraudulent” nikah in 2018.
Today’s hearing saw Judge Arjumand ask Maneka’s lawyer for a resolution, to which Maneka’s counsel requested the case be transferred to another court. Maneka expressed distrust in the judge’s decision-making. Despite dismissing a previous no-confidence motion from Maneka, the judge noted the repeated disruptions and has written to the Islamabad High Court registrar, stating it would be inappropriate for him to announce the verdict under these circumstances.
Read more: Atta Tarar lambasts PTI for targetting SIFCSpeaking outside the court, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan claimed that Maneka used inappropriate language in the courtroom and that the judge was pressured about the iddat case. National Assembly Opposition Leader Omar Ayub said they showed restraint despite Maneka’s provocative language. PTI leader Shibli Faraz accused Maneka of using obscenities in court and said delay tactics were being used in politically motivated cases. Faraz urged the judges to ensure justice, expressing hope for a fair outcome.