Islamabad: A group of religio-political leaders, allied with the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), has strongly condemned the lodging of an iddat case against Bushra Bibi, the spouse of Prime Minister Imran Khan. They have termed it a blot on society and Islam, warning against the dangerous precedent it sets.
Led by former Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri, the religious leaders criticized the judiciary for entertaining the case, labeling it unethical and a worrisome trend. They cautioned against establishing a precedent that could potentially be exploited to harass women who choose to remarry.
During a news conference, Sahibzada Hamid Raza of the Sunni Itehad Council (SIC) and Senator Allama Nasir Abbas of Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen, along with other leaders, voiced their concerns over the trial, deeming it unrealistic and foreseeing dangerous consequences for society.
Pir Noor ul Haq Qadri questioned the legitimacy of a former husband claiming, after a five-year gap, that his ex-wife did not complete the iddat period before remarrying.
The religious scholars also criticized the judiciary for its apparent insensitivity and failure to consult religious scholars on the matter.
Expressing apprehension, Sahibzada Hamid Raza feared that the decision could lead to injustices against women, while Allama Nasir Abbas stressed that iddat should not be manipulated for political gains.
The iddat case was filed by Khawar Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s former husband, against both her and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.