LAHORE: The Women’s Action Forum (WAF) Lahore has expressed profound dismay at the recent verdict in the ‘un-Islamic’ marriage case, highlighting concerns over its implications for women’s autonomy and rights in Pakistan.
In a statement, it denounced the verdict as an “assault on women’s autonomy over their bodies, dignity, and privacy.”
It argued that the ruling sets a dangerous precedent for state intrusion into the private lives of citizens, echoing fears reminiscent of the Zina Ordinance of the 1980s.
The forum emphasised the importance of upholding the Women Protection Act of 2006, which was designed to safeguard women from the misuse of existing laws. WAF Lahore raised alarms over the arbitrary invocation of sections 496 and 496-B PPC, which it believes renders these protections futile.
The statement added: “We condemn such patriarchal criminal trials and the dangerous precedents they set for women of this country.” The forum called for a reevaluation of judicial proceedings to ensure that women’s rights are respected and upheld under the law.
Earlier in the day, an Islamabad court sentenced former premier Imran Khan and wife Bushra Bibi to seven years imprisonment each on Saturday in the ‘un-Islamic’ marriage case. A fine of Rs0.5 million each was also imposed on the ex-premier and his wife.
This is the third sentencing for the PTI leader over the last five days. The former premier was earlier this week sentenced to 10-year imprisonment in the cypher case, and 14-year imprisonment in the Toshakhana case.
The verdict in the ‘un-Islamic’ marriage case was reserved by the court last night after a lengthy 14-hour hearing concluded on Friday night.
The hearing was conducted within the premises of Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, and was presided over by Islamabad’s Senior Civil Judge Qudratullah.
The case, filed by Bushra Bibi’s first husband, Khawar Maneka, alleges that Bushra violated the Islamic practice of observing the mandatory pause, or Iddat, between two marriages. Furthermore, Maneka accused his ex-wife and Khan of having an adulterous relationship before their marriage.
