Pakistan’s former PM Imran Khan overturned for illegal marriage

Provoking controversy

Earlier this month, a UN panel of experts found that Khan’s detention had “no legal basis and appeared to be aimed at disqualifying him from running for public office”.

The statement said “the prosecution has no legal basis and is allegedly politically motivated” and called for the immediate release of Mohammed, who has been imprisoned for nearly a year.

Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022 before being ousted following a falling out with the military establishment, which holds huge influence over civilian politics.

As an opposition figure, he waged a campaign against the generals who have been Pakistan’s direct rulers for decades, even accusing them of being behind his assassination.

But the former cricket star’s comeback has been hampered by dozens of legal cases that analysts say were likely filed at the request of the military establishment.

Khan’s first brief arrest in May 2023 sparked nationwide riots by PTI supporters, some of which targeted military installations.

The government and military used the attack as an excuse to launch a sweeping crackdown on the Justice Movement party, which has been devastated by arrests and defections of its top leadership.

The Justice and Development Party candidate was repeatedly postponed due to political chaos and was forced to participate in the February 8 election as an independent candidate.