Imran Khan’s Spiritual Leader: Who is Bushra Bibi?
Imran Khan’s wife Bushra has been charged with corruption in the same case that resulted in his detention on May 9.
He went with her to court on Monday, when she was given protective bail.
She has become well-known for her devotion to Sufism, the mystic side of Islam, and for her spirituality. Imran Khan, 70, has frequently acknowledged her as his spiritual leader.
She was born Bushra Riaz Watto, but after getting married, she changed her name to Khan. She is frequently referred to as Bushra Bibi or Bushra Begum by her husband and followers, both of which convey respect and she maintained a modest public presence ever since she wed Imran.
Bushra Bibi’s Early Years
Bushra, who is in her late 40s, is from a Punjabi family of landowners. Almost nothing is known about her early years.
She was previously married for around 30 years to Khawar Farid Maneka, a customs officer from a Punjabi family with political clout.
After the couple separated in 2018, local media reported Khawar Farid Maneka as saying, “I want to clearly state about my former wife, Bushra Bibi, that I have not seen a woman as pious as her in the world.”
Together, Bushra and Maneka have five kids.
Pakistanis Divided on Bushra’s Spiritual Leadership and Sorcery Allegations
Fariduddin Masud Ganjshakar, often known as Baba Farid, is a revered Sufi saint whose shrine is situated in Maneka’s village of Pakpattan in Punjab. Both Bushra and her ex-husband, Maneka, are devotees of Baba Farid.
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but Imran’s detractors charge that she practices sorcery, which Imran’s advisers have often refuted. 2018 saw Bushra give one of her few interviews, during which she said, “People would come to see me get closer to God and the Prophet (PBUH).”
Although the specifics of how and when Imran met Bushra are still unknown, former assistant Aun Chaudhry claims that Imran was deeply moved by her spirituality.
Imran Khan Marriages
Imran, a former prime minister who had gained a playboy reputation during his cricket career in the 1990s, has revealed a genuine interest in Sufism.
Bushra and Imran were married in a low-key wedding in 2018, seven months before he became prime minister.
Imran had previously been married to TV journalist Reham Nayyar Khan and Jemima Goldsmith, the daughter of business magnate James Goldsmith.
This was Imran’s third marriage. Imran’s two prior marriages ended in divorce.
Spiritual Journey
Before his election as prime minister, Imran, and Bushra were photographed prostrating at the Baba Farid shrine.
In the interview, Bushra stated that Khan’s life is now dedicated to God, the Prophet (PBUH), and his love for Baba Farid.
During his time in office, Bushra, who always wears a veil and burqa in public, did not accompany Imran on any official overseas trips except for visits to Saudi Arabia, where they were filmed at the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
