A local court in Islamabad dismissed a petition challenging the marriage (nikah) of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi.
The petitioner, Muhammad Hanif, initially sought legal action against the former prime minister for marrying during Bushra Bibi’s iddat period (a period of waiting following divorce or death of a spouse), which is considered against Sharia. However, Hanif withdrew his complaint, citing “technical reasons,” leading to the case’s dismissal by Judicial Magistrate Qudrat Ullah under Section 248 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
The petitioner claimed that Bushra Bibi was divorced in November 2017 and married Imran Khan on January 1, 2018, before the completion of her iddat, violating Islamic norms. Statements from Mufti Muhammad Saeed, who conducted the marriage, and Awn Chaudhry, a witness, were submitted in court.
Saeed revealed that the initial nikah in January 2018 was against Sharia, prompting Khan to request a second solemnization in February 2018. Saeed indicated that the first marriage was based on a “prediction” about Khan’s future political success.
Imran Khan’s marriage to Bushra Bibi, a respected faith healer, occurred in February 2018, marking his third marriage. His first marriage was to Jemima Goldsmith in 1995, ending in 2004, with whom he has two sons. His second marriage, to Reham Khan in January 2015, lasted only 10 months.
The wedding ceremony with Bushra Bibi was a private affair held in Lahore, attended by the bride’s family and friends but not by Khan’s sisters.
