News Analysis |
Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has tied the knot for the third time; this time with a spiritual adviser and faith healer, Bushra Wattoo, in a simple ceremony held at her residence in Lahore.
PTI spokesperson Fawad Chaudhry confirmed the marriage on Twitter along with the pictures of the newlywed couple along with the family and close relatives of Wattoo. While congratulating the couple, he said, “Marriage is the combination of two hearts and two souls, which join each other on this special day of the wedding. Wishing [the couple] a very happy and blessed married life.”
Khan also clarified that he sent her a proposal after she was divorced. It is believed that Khan met Wattoo for the first time ahead of the Lodhran by-poll in 2015 and has been a regular visitor to the ancient town of Pakpattan for the last two years.
Other senior leaders of the party including Jahangir Tareen, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Naeem ul Haque, Asad Umar and Shireen Mazari congratulated Khan and his new wife on their marriage on Twitter
Followers of the party also congratulated their leader on the occasion and posted the messages on Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks to send good wishes and blessings to the couple. PTI leader Aun Chaudhry and Imran’s friend Zulfi Bukhari were witnesses to the Nikkah.
Mufti Saeed officiated the ceremony in Lahore. He also previously performed Khan’s second marriage with TV anchor Reham Khan in 2015. It is the cricketer-turned politician’s third marriage after two previous unsuccessful marriages.
Read more: Sheikh Rasheed would not have let Imran divorce Jemima
Imran married his first wife, British socialite Jemima Khan in 1995, which captivated international and national tabloids for some time. The couple divorced in 2004. Khan got married for the second time much to the surprise of many to journalist Reham Khan. However, the marriage proved unsuccessful and the couple got divorced after 10 months in 2015.
Finally, Imran Khan has put the speculations to rest and as promised earlier in the statement that “if and when the marriage proposal is accepted by Ms. Maneka, Mr. Khan will make it public in a proper manner”.
His third wife, Bushra Wattoo belongs to the Wattoo clan and was married to Khawar Farid Maneka, a senior customs official in Islamabad. The ex-couple reportedly parted ways a few months back.
Fawad Chaudhary insisted that the Nikkah took place on Sunday night at 9 pm at the residence of Bushra’s brother. It contradicts the initial reports where Umar Cheema of Jang Group had claimed that Khan had got married in early January. PTI had denied the claim and questioned the journalist’s objectives on spreading false rumors.
Read more: Twitter reacts to Reham Khan’s innuendoes
Post the disqualification of Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan has been facing an onslaught on his personal life. PTI had to clarify the accusations of the secret marriage on January 7th and released a statement on Twitter to set the record state.
Mufti Saeed officiated the ceremony in Lahore. He also previously performed Khan’s second marriage with TV anchor Reham Khan in 2015. It is the cricketer-turned politician’s third marriage after two previous unsuccessful marriages.
PTI said, “Mr. Khan proposed marriage to Ms. Bushra Maneka, but Ms. Maneka asked for time to make a final decision after consulting her family, including her children”. Subsequently, Bushra Wattoo’s ex-husband spoke against the accusation hurled at his ex-wife where he defended her and denied that Khan has played any role in their divorce.
Read more: Khan hopes for marital stability in third union?
Moreover, Wattoo’s son Musa Maneka clarified and labeled the allegations of Umar Cheema as baseless lies. Finally, Imran Khan has put the speculations to rest and as promised earlier in the statement that “if and when the marriage proposal is accepted by Ms. Maneka, Mr. Khan will make it public in a proper manner”.
Khan also clarified that he sent her a proposal after she was divorced. It is believed that Khan met Wattoo for the first time ahead of the Lodhran by-poll in 2015 and has been a regular visitor to the ancient town of Pakpattan for the last two years.