Islamabad:

New details have emerged in an ongoing probe into the relationship between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former ISI Director-General Lieutenant General (retd) Faiz Hameed, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to sources cited by The Express Tribune, General Hameed maintained contact with Imran Khan through his wife, Bushra Bibi. Hameed allegedly provided information to Bushra Bibi in advance, which she would then convey to Imran Khan, presenting it as divine inspiration.

When this information later proved to be accurate, it reportedly reinforced the PTI founder’s belief in Bushra Bibi’s spiritual abilities, while in reality, it was Mr Hameed who had shared the information.

The probe took an unexpected turn after the former ISI chief’s arrest when an iPhone discovered in Chakwal reportedly unveiled details of his relationship with Imran Khan. According to sources, Bushra Bibi’s patience is reportedly wearing thin, The Express Tribune noted.

There are indications that Imran Khan’s wife might be considering cooperating with authorities, potentially testifying in exchange for immunity and distancing herself and her close associate, Farah Gogi, from the ongoing controversies.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Imran Khan stated that he does not feel intimidated by the arrest of General Faiz Hameed, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Speaking informally with reporters in Adiala Jail, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan said that he would not have called for a judicial commission if he were afraid.

On August 12, Pakistan’s military announced that General Hameed had been arrested due to “multiple instances of violation” of the Army Act following his retirement in December 2022, according to Geo News.

The military further stated, “The process of Field General Court Martial has been initiated, and Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed has been taken into military custody.”

The Pakistani military explained that the action against the former ISI chief was in line with the orders of the Supreme Court, which in 2023 called for an investigation after a land development company named Top City filed a petition, Geo News reported. The company alleged that Hameed and his brother had acquired ownership of several properties and had even blackmailed the company’s owner.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Islamabad:

A district and sessions court in Islamabad declined the pleas of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, as well as his wife, Bushra Bibi, to suspend their seven-year sentences in the Iddat Case on Thursday, reported Dawn.

The verdict, which had been reserved on Tuesday was notably announced by Additional District and sessions judge (ADSJ) Afzal Majoka today.

Lawyers, women activists, and members of civil society all harshly condemned the Iddat conviction as a “blow to women’s right to dignity and privacy.”

The ruling had been met with protests in Islamabad by activists and criticism in Karachi by demonstrators who were against the “state’s intrusion into people’s private lives.

Prior to the general elections, on February 3, an Islamabad court condemned the couple to seven years in prison and fined them each PKR 500,000 for getting married during Bushra Bibi’s Iddat period.

The couple was given 14 years in prison in the Toshakhana case, while Imran and his foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, were given 10 years in prison in the Cypher case, the same week the verdict was rendered.

Imran and Qureshi were found not guilty in the Cypher case earlier this month, and the penalties in the Toshakhana case were suspended in April.

The case was previously being heard by District and Sessions Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, who had reserved the verdict in May.

On the day of the anticipated announcement, he requested that the matter be transferred, citing Maneka’s plea to be removed from the appeals panel. The case was then moved to ADSJ Majoka.

Nonetheless, Bushra Bibi’s attorney had petitioned the Islamabad High Court for her release on bond and a sentence suspension. In a related development, the sessions court was instructed by the Islamabad High Court to rule on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s and his wife’s pleas within ten days.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)