Imran Khan’s hat-trick, ties knot with his ‘spiritual guide’

Lahore, February 19

Imran Khan has tied the knot with his “spiritual guide”, his party has confirmed, ending weeks of speculation about the 65-year-old flamboyant Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician’s third marriage.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Fawad Chaudhary said party chief Khan married Bushra Maneka, a “respected pir” (faith healer) in Lahore yesterday.

The ceremony was held at the residence of Bushra’s brother in Pakpattan and PTI Central Executive Committee member Mufti Muhammad Saeed performed the ‘nikah’, he said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

“The valima ceremony will also be held in a simple manner in a few days,” he added.

Bushra, also known as ‘Pinky Pir’, is in her late 40s and has five children from her first marriage. She was married to a senior customs official in Islamabad but parted ways recently.

She is a resident of Pakpattan district, some 250 km from Lahore, which is known for the shrine of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar.

Khan had previously referred to Bushra as his “spiritual adviser” and someone whose guidance he valued.

The wedding ceremony was attended by Khan’s mother-in law and other family members. His sisters though were not present, triggering rumours that he had not taken them into confidence .

Khan, who led Pakistan to victory in the World Cup in 1992, was once touted as the country’s most eligible bachelor for his rugged Pathani good looks.

Khan’s previous two marriages ended in divorce. His first marriage was with Jemima Goldsmith, daughter of a British billionaire, in 1995, which lasted nine years. Khan has two sons from her.

His second marriage with TV anchor Reham Khan in 2015 ended after 10 months.

Rumours about Khan’s third marriage started circulating in January.  Sources said Khan was under immense pressure to disclose his marriage after a humiliating electoral defeat in Punjab’s Lodhran last week.

“My interest in her lies in the fact that I have not seen or met anyone with her level of spirituality,” Khan said. —PTI