In an ongoing legal saga concerning the marriage between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi, two key witnesses provided statements on Tuesday, shedding light on the alleged ‘un-Islamic’ nature of the union.
The hearing, initiated in response to Khawar Maneka’s request in Islamabad’s civil court, featured Mufti Saeed and Aun Chaudhry, both deeming the marriage as un-Islamic and illegal, Express News reported.
District and Sessions Judge Qudratullah presided over the proceedings, prompted by a plea filed by Khawar Farid Maneka, Bushra Bibi’s ex-husband. Raja Rizwan Abbasi, Khawar Maneka’s lawyer, was also present during the hearing.
Mufti Saeed, taking an oath, revealed that Imran Khan approached him on January 1, 2018, expressing a desire to conduct the nikkah ceremony with Bushra Bibi in Lahore. After verifying legal requirements with Bushra Bibi’s supposed sister, Mufti Saeed claimed to have performed the marriage, and the couple began residing in their Bani Gala home. Subsequently, in February 2018, Imran Khan allegedly sought a second nikkah, admitting that the initial marriage occurred during the iddat period, he added.
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Mufti Saeed disclosed that Bushra Bibi and her friends asserted she had obtained a divorce from Khawar Maneka in November 2017. He claimed that both parties were aware of the marriage’s un-Islamic nature, intentionally sidestepping legal requirements.
Responding to the court’s queries, Mufti Saeed explained the significance of the waiting period in Islam, emphasising its role in providing an opportunity for reconciliation and determining potential pregnancy.
Aun Chaudhry, the second witness and Imran Khan’s political and private secretary, recounted events leading to the marriages. Imran Khan’s divorce from Reham Khan in November 2015, based on Bushra Bibi’s suggestion, was reportedly communicated via email, he told the court.
Aun Chaudhry detailed Imran Khan’s troubled marital state, leading to visits to Bushra Bibi for ‘spiritual solace’ back in 2015. He said that he himself accompanied Imran on these frequent visits.
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In December 2017, Imran instructed him to arrange the marriage, stating that Bushra Bibi had obtained a divorce. The ceremony, officiated by Mufti Saeed, took place in Lahore’s Defence neighbourhood on January 1, 2018. Aun Chaudhry mentioned media scrutiny over the waiting period, with Imran Khan suggesting maintaining silence until a second marriage after its completion.
According to Aun Chaudhry, the second marriage occurred in Bani Gala in February 2018, with recordings available. Both he and Zulfi Bukhari witnessed the ceremony, and Imran Khan allegedly claimed that marrying Bushra Bibi would lead him to become the prime minister.
The court adjourned the hearing until December 2, with the upcoming testimony of the third witness, Muhammad Latif.
Source: tribune.com.pk
