ISLAMABAD: As speculations make rounds about an alleged deal which resulted in the imprisonment of former first lady Bushra Bibi at her Banigala house, former premier Imran Khan vehemently denied these rumours, saying: “We do not want any deal.”

The couple appeared before the court of senior civil judge Qudratullah in connection with the Iddat case at a makeshift courtroom in Adiala Jail, where they told the media persons that the decision to declare the Banigala residence as a ‘sub-jail’ was not an outcome of a deal.

“We don’t want any deal. Bushra Bibi could be detained at Adiala Jail,” said Mr Khan, adding that he would not make such a request especially when PTI leaders Yasmin Rashid, Aliya Hamza and Sanam Javed were in jail for the past few months.

He claimed that he sent a blanket for Bushra Bibi last night, but he was informed that she had been shifted to Banigala. Imran Khan said that the government declared the Banigala residence a sub-jail with mala fide intentions.

Bushra says establishment contacted her indirectly, but talks were futile

Bushra Bibi said that the deputy superintendent jail told her that she was being shifted to Simly Dam Rest House and she was surprised when they took her to Banigala.

She claimed the military establishment contacted her indirectly, but the initial dialogue was termed ‘futile’. She said she avoided further contact with them.

During the proceedings of the Iddat case, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi entered a verbal altercation with Bushra’s ex-husband, Khawar Maneka, while he was being cross-examined.

Maneka-Bushra spat

Mr Maneka alleged that Bushra Bibi had an “affair with Mr Khan since 2014”. Mr Khan rose to the rostrum and challenged him to level such allegations after taking an oath on the Holy Quran.

“I swear and I am ready to take oath on Holy Quran along with my wife Bushra Bibi that we did not have illicit relations,” the former premier said. The judge remarked that if the witness would take such an oath, the defence counsel would lose the right to cross-examination.

The defence counsel argued that Khawar Maneka remained silent from 2017 to Nov 24, 2023. He stated that the ex-husband of Bushra Bibi filed the complaint after he was picked up in a corruption case and had been detained for over a month. He said the complainant lodged the case under duress.

At this, Imran Khan quipped it was because of the ‘Vigo’ vehicle, a euphemism for the powerful intelligence agencies.

After the defence counsel concluded the cross-examination, Mr Khan again appeared on the rostrum and requested the judge to arrange the Holy Quran for his oath.

“I want to clear mine and my spouse’s name,” he said. Bushra Bibi also joined him at the rostrum and complained about her ex-husband Maneka. At this, Mr Maneka, who was leaving the courtroom, came back and both of them started hurling accusations at each other. Mr Khan intervened and said that they were not accusing him as they only wanted to clear the allegation against him.

In the case, the cross-examination of Khawar Maneka and Awn Chaudhry had been concluded, while Mufti Saeed and domestic servant Latif recorded their statements. The defence counsel would resume cross-examination on Friday.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2024