Marriage, Mysticism, Mystique

Imran Khan’s third wife is deeply religious and private, and that has spawned a variety of stories, adding to her mystery

- Susamma Joy Kurian

The Sutlej River was once a zariya (medium) for followers of 13th century Sufisaint Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar to reach his shrine, situated close to its banks. As the ferry across the river became popular with pilgrims, the ancient village of Ajodhan got its new name—Pakpattan, meaning pure dock. Millions of pilgrims visit the shrine every year, and it is called the seat of the Chishti order of Sufism in Pakistan. Its religious significance being evident, Pakpattan today has also become part of the political discourse in the country. For, prime minister-designate Imran Khan, 65, has been a frequent visitor to the shrine in the past couple of years. But, his zariya to the Sufisaint and his teachings was a pirni (faith healer)—Bushra Maneka—whom he married earlier this year.

Murmurs of Imran’s third marriage to a pirni first began this January. The murmurs soon became memes on social media, and jokes in cricket lingo—’Imran Khan’s hat-trick’—followed. Imran had no choice but to come out with a statement, saying that he had only proposed to his spiritual mentor, Bushra, and that she had asked for time to consult her family, including her five children, before making a final decision.

On February 18, Imran’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), released a photograph of his nikah with Bushra, 50. And, social media had a field day, again. There was enough curiosity online about Bushra even before the official announcement; the wedding photograph of a fully veiled Bushra only added to it.