ISLAMABAD — A Pakistani court on Saturday suspended the sentences and acquitted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife in a case accusing them of violating Islamic marriage law, according to court records.

Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka of the Islamabad District and Sessions Court issued the verdict on the couple's appeal against their conviction, ordering their release unless they are wanted in any other case.

"Another prosecution failed and malafide exposed. Iddat & Nikah honorable acquittal for Imran Khan & Bushra Bibi. Judge M. Majoka quashed convictions," Khan's lawyer, Barrister Salman Safdar, said on X.

In his release order, the judge directed the Superintendent of Central Jail Adayala to immediately release Khan and his wife, stating, "You, the Superintendent Central Prison Adyala, Rawalpindi, are required and authorized to release the above-referred appellants forthwith if they are not required in any other case."

This marks Khan's second major legal victory in the last two days, following the Supreme Court of Pakistan's order on Friday to allot 77 reserved seats for women and minorities to his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), in the national and provincial assemblies.

Khan and Bushra Bibi had been sentenced to seven years in jail by a trial court in February, just days before the general elections in the country. This was Khan's third conviction, with his previous two sentences suspended and set aside by the Islamabad High Court.

Despite this acquittal, Khan remains entangled in numerous other cases ranging from corruption to violence, limiting his immediate release prospects. He has dismissed these cases as politically motivated.

His wife, Bushra Bibi, however, is likely to be released soon.

The 72-year-old cricketer-turned-politician, who was ousted from office in April 2022 through a no-trust vote, has been incarcerated in the northeastern garrison city of Rawalpindi since August last year.

PTI Interim Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan hailed the court's decision as a significant victory for Pakistan and called for preparations to welcome Khan upon his imminent release.

"Today is a victory day for Pakistan and the entire nation," Khan told reporters outside the court, expressing confidence that Imran Khan will soon be released, as all three cases resulting in sentences against him have now been suspended or overturned.

"All cases against Imran Khan are baseless and politically motivated," he emphasized. — Agencies