Bushra Bibi, also known as Bushra Maneka, is a prominent Pakistani figure, best known as the third wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and a key political figure in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. A faith healer and spiritual leader, she has transitioned from a private life to becoming a public figure, leading protests and facing legal battles. This detailed profile covers her biography, family, education, career, recent updates, controversies, and fascinating facts about her life.
Biography of Bushra Bibi (Bushra Maneka)
Bushra Bibi, born Bushra Riaz Wattoo, was born on August 16, 1974, in Pakpattan, Punjab, Pakistan, into a landowning Wattoo family. A follower of Sufi saint Fariduddin Masud Ganjshakar (Baba Farid), she was known as a spiritual healer and scholar before her marriage to Imran Khan in 2018. Her life took a significant turn after becoming the First Lady of Pakistan (2018-2022) during Khan's tenure as Prime Minister.
Bushra has emerged as a political figure, leading protests for Imran Khan's release from jail and facing multiple legal cases, including corruption and unlawful marriage charges. Her enigmatic persona, often shrouded in a veil, has made her a subject of intrigue and controversy in Pakistan's political landscape.
Family Details
- Father: Riaz Wattoo, from a prominent landowning family in Punjab.
- Mother: Details about her mother are not publicly documented, reflecting her private family life.
- First Husband: Khawar Farid Maneka, a customs official. They married in 1989 and divorced on November 14, 2017. Khawar has been a key figure in legal battles against Bushra and Imran Khan.
- Children (from first marriage):
- Three daughters: Mehru Maneka (eldest, a PTI member), and two others (names not widely publicized, married).
- Two sons: Ebrahim Maneka and Musa Maneka, both graduated from Aitchison College, Lahore, in 2013, and pursued higher education abroad.
- Second Husband: Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan. They married in February 2018 in a private ceremony, following her divorce from Khawar Maneka.
- Siblings: Maryam Riaz Wattoo, her sister, introduced Bushra to Imran Khan in 2014 during a PTI sit-in protest in Islamabad.
Bushra's family has been under scrutiny, particularly due to her ex-husband's legal actions and her children's political affiliations. Mehru Maneka's involvement with PTI has kept the family in the political spotlight.
Educational Qualifications
Bushra Bibi's formal education is not extensively documented, but here’s what is known:
- She hails from a conservative, landowning family in Punjab, where education for women was often limited.
- Known as a Sufi scholar and faith healer, her education focused on religious and spiritual studies, particularly in the teachings of Baba Farid.
- She is recognized as "Pinki Pir" or "Pinki Bibi" at Pakpattan’s Ziarat e Dargah Hazrat Baba Farid Ganj Shakar, indicating her deep spiritual learning.
- No formal academic degrees have been publicly confirmed, with her expertise lying in spiritual guidance and healing.
Her spiritual education has been central to her identity, influencing her relationship with Imran Khan and her public persona.
Career Graph
Bushra Bibi's career has evolved from a private spiritual role to a public political figure, marked by significant events:
Early Career (Spiritual Healer)
- Faith Healer and Sufi Scholar: Known as Pinki Pir, Bushra provided spiritual guidance and healing at Pakpattan’s Baba Farid shrine. Her reputation as a spiritual mentor attracted many, including Imran Khan.
- First Marriage (1989-2017): During her marriage to Khawar Maneka, she maintained a low profile, focusing on family and spiritual activities.
Marriage to Imran Khan and Political Involvement
- Meeting Imran Khan (2014-2015): Introduced by her sister Maryam during a PTI protest in 2014, Bushra connected with Khan over their shared interest in Sufism. Khan began visiting her for spiritual guidance at her ex-husband's house in Pakpattan.
- Marriage (2018): After her divorce from Khawar Maneka in November 2017, Bushra married Imran Khan in February 2018, becoming his third wife. This marked her entry into the public eye as the First Lady of Pakistan (2018-2022).
- Political Debut (2024): Bushra emerged as a political figure during PTI protests in 2024, leading marches demanding Imran Khan's release from jail. Her appearance on a shipping container in Islamabad on November 25-26, 2024, was widely covered.
Legal and Political Challenges
- Al-Qadir Trust Case (2024-2025): Bushra and Imran Khan were convicted in the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust corruption case, with sentences of 7 and 14 years, respectively, in January 2025. They challenged the conviction in the Islamabad High Court, alleging misuse of authority.
- Unlawful Marriage Case (2024): Acquitted in July 2024 after being sentenced to 7 years in February 2024, following Khawar Maneka's claim that their marriage violated Islamic law (iddat period).
- Protest Leadership: Led PTI protests in Islamabad, including the D-Chowk protests in 2024, despite facing legal cases and interim bail in 13 related cases.
Recent News
- Al-Qadir Trust Case (January-February 2025):
- Sentenced to 7 years in prison alongside Imran Khan (14 years) in January 2025 for land corruption linked to the Al-Qadir Trust. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) alleged they caused a £190 million loss to Pakistan's treasury.
- Challenged the conviction in the Islamabad High Court in January 2025, with PTI claiming the case lacks foundation and is politically motivated.
- Interim Bail (January 2025):
- Granted interim bail until February 7, 2025, in 13 cases related to the D-Chowk protests and another case involving the killing of paramilitary rangers during the 2024 demonstrations.
- Protest Leadership (November-December 2024):
- Led PTI protests in Islamabad, demanding Imran Khan's release. Her march on November 25-26, 2024, was billed as "do or die," though it did not free Khan, it launched her political career.
- PTI officials reported security forces pushed back her container during the protests, dispersing supporters.
- Public Statements (November 2024):
- Claimed Saudi Arabia played a role in Imran Khan's ouster, a statement refuted by retired army chief Bajwa, adding to her political controversies.
Controversies
Bushra Bibi has been embroiled in several controversies, primarily legal and political:
- Al-Qadir Trust Corruption Case (2024-2025):
- Convicted for acquiring 458 kanals of land for Al-Qadir University, allegedly misusing £190 million. PTI claims the land was donated for charity, but NAB alleges financial impropriety.
- Sentences challenged in court, with ongoing appeals in February 2025.
- Unlawful Marriage Case (2023-2024):
- Khawar Maneka filed a case in November 2023, alleging their 2018 marriage violated Islamic law (iddat period). Both were sentenced to 7 years in February 2024, but acquitted in July 2024.
- Maneka claimed Bushra hoodwinked Khan, presenting information from ex-ISI chief Gen. Faiz Hameed as divine intervention, reinforcing Khan's belief in her powers.
- Protest-Related Cases (2024):
- Named a suspect in 11 cases, including the attack on army headquarters during the May 9, 2023, protests. Granted interim bail in 13 cases in January 2025.
- Alleged to have instructed PTI leadership to "set anything on fire or kill anyone" for Khan's release, as per FIRs.
- Saudi Arabia Allegations (November 2024):
- Claimed Saudi Arabia influenced Khan's ouster, drawing refutations and adding to her political controversies.
- Public Perception:
- Seen as a spiritual figure by some, but criticized for her political involvement and legal battles. Her veiled appearance and enigmatic persona have fueled debates on X.
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Bushra Bibi (Bushra Maneka)
- Spiritual Healer to First Lady: Transitioned from a faith healer (Pinki Pir) at Baba Farid’s shrine to Pakistan’s First Lady after marrying Imran Khan in 2018.
- Third Wife of Imran Khan: Khan’s third wife after Jemima Goldsmith and Reham Khan, with their marriage sparking controversies due to her previous marriage.
- Five Children from First Marriage: Has three daughters and two sons from Khawar Maneka, with Mehru Maneka being a PTI member.
- Al-Qadir Trust Conviction (2025): Sentenced to 7 years in prison in January 2025 for corruption, alongside Khan’s 14-year sentence, with ongoing appeals.
- Unlawful Marriage Acquittal (2024): Acquitted in July 2024 after being sentenced to 7 years for violating Islamic marriage laws, following Khawar Maneka’s complaint.
- Protest Leader (2024): Led PTI protests in Islamabad, including the D-Chowk march, demanding Khan’s release, despite facing legal cases.
- Interim Bail (2025): Granted interim bail in 13 cases related to protests and ranger deaths, valid until February 7, 2025.
- Saudi Arabia Controversy (2024): Claimed Saudi Arabia played a role in Khan’s ouster, refuted by Bajwa, adding to her political controversies.
- Veiled Political Figure: Known for her shrouded appearance, wearing a black or white abaya, making her an enigmatic figure in PTI politics.
- Spiritual Influence on Khan: Allegedly influenced Khan’s political decisions, including ministerial appointments, with claims of using ex-ISI chief’s information as divine guidance.
Bushra Bibi’s journey from a spiritual healer to a political figure reflects her complex role in Pakistan’s political and legal landscape. While her leadership in PTI protests and legal battles continue, her enigmatic persona and controversies keep her in the public eye. As courts deliberate her cases, Bushra remains a polarizing figure, balancing spirituality, politics, and legal challenges in a high-stakes environment.
Comments
Post a Comment