Khawar Maneka, the ex-husband of Bushra Bibi, who is currently serving a seven-year prison term with her second husband, former prime minister Imran Khan, has been the main accuser in the case that led to their conviction.
He alleged that they married before the mandatory waiting period (iddat) after his divorce with Bushra Bibi, and that they had an illicit relationship before their marriage. Both charges are considered serious offences in Pakistan’s Islamic laws.
But this was not always the case. In 2018, when Khan and Bushra Bibi tied the knot in a low-key ceremony, Maneka released a video message in which he praised both of them as noble and respectable people. He said he had no objection to their marriage and that he considered Khan a disciple of his spiritual family. He also lauded Bushra Bibi as a pious and virtuous woman, who he had been married to for 28 years.
So what made him change his mind and file a case against them after two years of their marriage? What triggered his anger and resentment towards the couple, who he once admired and respected? What evidence did he present to the court to prove his allegations?
These are some of the questions that have puzzled many observers and analysts, who have tried to find the motives and reasons behind Maneka’s dramatic shift in stance. Some have speculated that he was influenced or coerced by Khan’s political rivals, who wanted to bring him down and tarnish his image. Others have suggested that he was driven by personal grudges or jealousy, as he could not bear to see his ex-wife happy with another man. Some have also pointed out the inconsistencies and contradictions in his statements and testimonies, which cast doubt on his credibility and reliability.
Whatever the truth may be, the fact remains that Maneka’s case has had a devastating impact on the lives of Khan and Bushra Bibi, who are now languishing in jail, facing multiple charges and sentences. Their marriage, which they claimed to be based on a spiritual bond and a shared interest has turned into a source of agony and humiliation.