Imran Khan frequently met Bushra in Maneka's absence, says witness

An Islamabad court on Tuesday recorded statement of another witness in the illegal marriage case against former PTI chairman Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi.

Civil Judge Qudratullah recorded statement of Muhammad Latif, the housekeeper of Bushra Bibi's ex-husband Khawar Farid Maneka.

The witness testified that Imran Khan frequently visited Maneka's residence and met Bushra Bibi in her room in private.

"Khawar Maneka was a customs officer, who used to be posted in different places; his family lived in Lahore or Islamabad. In 2015, former PTI Chairman started visiting Maneka's Bani Gala home, but his visits increased in 2016-17," he said.

Latif added that Maneka and Bushra would fight over Imran Khan's frequent visits to their house, finally leading to their divorce in 2017.

When questioned if Imran and Bushra would allow him to sit with them in the room, Latif said that Khawar Maneka asked him to check upon them but they both didn't let him in the room.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing until December 8.

Aun Chaudhry and Mufti Saeed have already testified in the illegal marriage case.

In his statement, Chaudhry, who is now the secretary of the Istehkame Pakistan Party (IPP), deposed that he was privy to a lot of personal and family matters of the PTI chief as he served his private secretary. He said Imran divorced Reham Khan in November 2015 on Bushra Bibi’s advice.

“The PTI chairman would remain sad and often insist on visiting Bushra to find peace. On Imran’s insistence, he would take him to Bushra’s house. It was during one of those visits on December 31, 2017, Imran told me that he wanted to take Bushra to Lahore and asked me to make arrangements for his wedding with Bushra.”

On Monday, former prime minister Imran Khan rejected allegations levelled by Khawar Farid Maneka, the first husband of former first lady Bushra Bibi, against him and his wife.

“I am ready to swear on Holy Quran that I saw Bushra Bibi for the first time after nikah,” Imran said, as was quoted by journalists who interacted with him after the cipher case hearing in Adiala jail.