In a significant development, Khawar Farid Maneka on Saturday approached a court, seeking punitive action against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, over allegations of solemnising what he deems an ‘un-Islamic’ marriage, as reported by Express News.
Interestingly, Maneka’s move comes in the wake of a similar application withdrawn by a different petitioner the other day, citing “technical grounds” for his decision. The local court in Islamabad had accepted the petitioner’s plea and quashed the case against the couple.
Meanwhile, in his plea to Judge Qudratullah, Maneka, the ex-husband of Bushra Bibi, asserted that his marriage with her lasted for 28 years, hailing from Pakpattan.
According to Maneka, the relationship between “Pinki” (Bushra Bibi) and Imran Khan originated during the sit-in protests in Islamabad in 2014. He added that Bushra Bibi was introduced to the former PM by her sister, whom he claimed has “deep connections with the Jewish lobby.”
Over time, he alleged that the PTI chairman interfered in his married life, despite his efforts to distance Imran from his family.
Maneka detailed in the application that Imran Khan, using the “Pir-Muridi” (relationship between a spiritual guide and a follower), intruded into his personal life and household. He alleged that the PTI chairman would visit his house in his absence, spending hours, which, he claimed, was contrary to Islamic teachings. On one occasion, he found “Zulfi Bukhari present in his bedroom”.
Accusing Bushra Bibi of initiating frequent visits to Imran’s Bani Gala residence, Maneka’s legal application includes a list of four witnesses, comprising Khawar Farid Maneka himself, Mufti Saeed, Awn Chaudhry, and Muhammad Latif. Notably, the plea is annexed with the marriage certificate of Imran and Bushra, dated August 1, 2018.
Formally requesting an inquiry and subsequent punishment for the PTI chairman and Bushra Bibi, Maneka’s case is now under consideration in the court of Civil Judge Qudratullah.
The court, after recording Maneka’s statement, adjourned the hearing till November 28.
