Who is Bushra Maneka? The third wife of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan arrested in Islamabad

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, was taken into custody by scores of security forces in riot gear and dragged into an armoured vehicle as he appeared in court in Islamabad to face corruption charges earlier today. The high-profile politician has evaded arrest several times since he was ousted from power last year. His arrest followed a video message in which he reiterated allegations that the country's powerful military establishment had attempted to assassinate him twice.

Upon arriving at the court premises, Imran Khan was apprehended by the National Accountability Bureau, Pakistan's anti-corruption agency, followed by a group of paramilitary officers. Khan was then escorted to a heavily secured vehicle with tinted windows and driven away, while a scuffle erupted between his supporters and the police.

The Islamabad police released a statement indicating that Khan's arrest was related to a distinct case known as the Al-Qadir Trust case, which alleges that Khan illegally earned billions of rupees through land transactions and was denied bail. The statement added that Khan is scheduled to appear before the court on Wednesday.

It’s the latest in the ongoing saga involving Imran Khan, who outside of charges of government corruption also found himself on the receiving end of controversy surrounding his marriage to third wife Bushra Maneka (aka Bushra Bibi). The cleric involved in the ceremony in 2018 has admitted that the marriage went against sharia law - and that Bushra was married within the three month iddat period, a period of time that is a waiting period that a Muslim woman must observe on account of the death of her husband or the dissolution of the marriage.

But unlike former wives Jemima, the British socialite, writer and campaigner (1995 to 2004) and Reham Khan, a journalist and television host that lasted 10 months in 2015, Bushra has remained rather off the grid; or perhaps keeping a low profile amid the political quagmire Imran is involved in.

Who is Bushra Maneka?

Bushra Maneka was born in 1968 in Punjab, Pakistan. She was previously married to Khawar Farid Maneka, a senior customs official in Pakistan, and has five children from her previous marriage. She is known for being a spiritual figure and has a master's degree in Islamic Studies.

According to media reports, Bushra Maneka met Imran Khan in 2014 when she came to seek his spiritual guidance, having developed an interest in Sufism . At the time, Khan was already divorced from his second wife, Reham Khan. The two reportedly grew close over their shared interest in spirituality, and Bushra Maneka became Khan's spiritual adviser.

Their marriage was kept private and was only confirmed by Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in January 2018. The wedding took place in a simple ceremony at Bushra Maneka's residence in Lahore, and was attended by close family members and friends. Khan was 65 years old at the time of their marriage, while Bushra Maneka was 50.

Bushra Maneka is known to be a private person and does not often appear in public; however, she has been seen accompanying her husband at official events, including meetings with foreign dignitaries and state visits. She is reported to have had a positive influence on Khan's political career, and is said to have advised him on a range of issues, including governance, politics, and religion.