Imran Khan, the incarcerated former Prime Minister of Pakistan, recently defended his wife, Bushra Bibi, against claims that she tried to embroil Saudi Arabia in controversy.
From Adiala Jail, Khan stated that critics had misunderstood Bushra Bibi’s comments as an attempt to create conflict with Saudi Arabia. He confirmed that her statement did not specifically mention Saudi Arabia.
In a previous video message, Bushra Bibi accused external forces of destabilizing their government during a major protest by their party, PTI. She suggested that after seeing Imran Khan, the former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa received directives from Saudi officials, sparking a campaign against them.
Khan highlighted his positive, long-standing relationship with Saudi Arabia, remembering the support from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during difficult times, including after his assassination attempt in November 2022. He also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s critical support for a successful OIC foreign ministers’ conference in Islamabad weeks before his government was toppled.
Khan refuted claims that his government’s fall was due to external pressures alone, accusing Gen Bajwa of orchestrating internal conspiracies against him. He lamented the obstructions faced in seeking justice through the judicial system.
Read: Court Issues Non-Bailable Arrest Warrants for Bushra Bibi in £190 Million Case
Furthermore, Khan highlighted his wife’s political non-involvement, stating that her recent statements merely conveyed his message concerning the upcoming protest on November 24, which he framed as a pivotal moment for Pakistan to reject oppression.
The government responded sharply to Bushra Bibi’s allegations. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials criticized her statements as harmful to Pakistan-Saudi relations, suggesting they stemmed from personal and political motives rather than national interest. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also condemned the remarks, highlighting the detrimental impact on Pakistan’s foreign relations.
