Nawaz advises Imran to abandon 'Riasat-e-Madina' narrative after Maneka’s ‘revelations’

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, while appearing in the Islamabad High Court for his appeals against graft convictions on Tuesday, responded to the shocking revelations made by Bushra Bibi's ex-husband, Khawar Farid Manika, accusing Imran Khan of ruining his 28-year-long marriage.

In a quip aimed at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, Nawaz Sharif urged Imran Khan to refrain from invoking the 'Riasat-e-Madina' narrative in his political pursuits, as reported by Express News.

Nawaz Sharif's remarks came in response to questions from media representatives about his reaction to Maneka's interview aired on a private news channel the previous night.

When asked if he believed that Maneka's revelations exposed Khan's real face, Nawaz clarified that his assertion was directed at Khan's use of the 'Riasate-e Madina' narrative after the allegations made against him.

Read More: Imran ruined my married life: Bushra’s ex-husband

Maneka, the former husband of PTI Chairman Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, made shocking revelations on Monday regarding his divorce and Khan's third marriage. In an interview with a private TV channel, Maneka claimed that Khan had ruined his 28-year-long marriage with Bushra under the guise of Piri-Muridi, a relationship between a spiritual guide and a follower.

Maneka also supported allegations that Khan and Bushra's marriage took place before the completion of Iddat, the mandatory isolation period for a divorced woman under Islam. According to Maneka, Khan married Bushra one-and-a-half months after their divorce in November 2017, with pictures of the wedding released in February 2018 to hide it from the public eye.

Maneka further claimed that Khan would visit his house without his consent, expressing dissatisfaction with his then-wife's meetings with the PTI chief. He recounted an incident where he allegedly kicked Khan out of his house with the help of domestic staff.

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The 'Riasat-e-Madina' is a key discourse of the PTI narrative, advocating for the transformation of Pakistan into an egalitarian society that adheres to law and justice. Khan has consistently presented the 'Riasate-e-Madina' model as a driving force behind his mission to see Pakistan as a state valuing the principles laid down by the Holy Quran and Sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

However, critics accuse him of "using religion" to advance his political goals.