Imran backs Bushra as govt blasts bid to ‘wreck Pak-Saudi friendship’

ISLAMABAD/DG KHAN/LAHORE: PTI founder Imran Khan Friday clarified that his spouse Bushra Bibi’s statement was deliberately taken out of context to draw ‘our brotherly country KSA’ into a needless controversy, as she didn’t mention Saudi Arabia at all.

In a statement on his social media account, Imran said Bushra had no connection with politics and that she only conveyed his message to the nation on November 24 protest.

“I have excellent relations with Saudi Arabia. When I was attacked in Wazirabad, one of the first calls I received was, through the embassy, from HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; Saudi Arabia always stood by us in difficult times,” he wrote. He continued that ‘only two weeks prior to our government being toppled, we held a very successful OIC foreign ministers conference in Islamabad, which would have been impossible to do had Saudi Arab not supported and stood with us’.

Imran charged that his government was toppled through conspiracies – all orchestrated by General Bajwa — and that he tried to have these investigated through the chief justice and General Tariq Khan, but General Bajwa did not allow it.

“The nation should focus on November 24 protest. God willing, you will emerge victorious,” he said in his message to the nation from Adiala Jail, where he is incarcerated.

Imran made it clear that November 24 was the day to break free from slavery for the rule of law and the Constitution. He said the human rights were suspended, forcing the nation to come out to protest and make sacrifices.

The nation, he emphasized, must decide whether to wear the yoke of slavery like Bahadur Shah Zafar or adorn the crown of freedom like Tipu Sultan.

APP reports: Meanwhile, taking up the cudgels on behalf of Saudi Arabia for its unconditional financial and diplomatic support to Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday warned that spitting venom against such a brotherly country was an unforgivable crime and called for national unity to counter such anti-state elements.

Addressing the inauguration of restoration of Kachhi Canal in Taunsa damaged by 2022 floods, he said whether it was the Kashmir issue, the United Nations or the UN Security Council, Saudi Arabia always acted as Pakistan’s advocate and benefactor and bailed out Pakistan recently to seek IMF program.

“Despite this, such venom-spitting is an unforgivable crime. I as the prime minister of Pakistan want to announce that the nation will break any hand trying to undermine the Pakistan-Saudi friendship. This is not a joke. The allegation is beyond understanding.

“The largest national interest is being “slaughtered” to serve short-term political interest,” he remarked after inaugurating the project.

Commenting on Bushra Bibi’s statement, he said: “There can be no animosity towards Pakistan bigger than this. Such people are naive to the magnitude of the damage through their “venomous” words.”

Shehbaz recalled the Kingdom’s support to Pakistan after it carried out nuclear tests in 1998 in the form of a free-of-charge oil facility as well as financial support.

Azaz Syed reports: Former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa Friday praised Saudi Arabia saying it always stood by Pakistan and provided generous support during all times.

He made these comments in an exclusive conversation during which this correspondent sought his views on the controversy sparked by Bushra Bibi’s statement.

Bajwa dismissed Bushra’s assertions as baseless, irresponsible and unfounded stating that neither Saudi Arabia nor any foreign nation intervened in Pakistan’s domestic affairs.

He emphasised that Saudi Arabia had played a significant role in assisting Pakistan through various administrations.

Bajwa highlighted Saudi Arabia’s consistent support to Pakistan, noting that it had been a steadfast ally in challenging times.

He also pointed out the Kingdom’s backing of former prime minister Imran Khan’s government, underscoring its commitment to Pakistan’s well-being.

He stressed the importance of prioritizing national interests over political agendas, warning against the potential damage that baseless allegations might cause to the country.

Bajwa’s remarks about the generous Saudi support to Pakistan during the most challenging periods reflect the deep-rooted diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two nations, reinforcing the notion that Saudi Arabia remains a pivotal partner for Pakistan on the global stage.

M. Anis reports: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif Friday said Bushra Bibi demonstrated her “moral, religious and political bankruptcy by giving a mean and vulgar statement” against Saudi Arabia.

“Our politics has never witnessed such a low [...] she (Bushra) has declared herself as Sharia, how much lower can they stoop,” he said while addressing a press conference here.

They are giving out such statements to save their sinking ship of politics, he added.

Continuing his salvos, Asif said such a mean and vulgar statement was given against a Muslim country which helped Pakistan in difficult times and where 2.8 million Pakistanis are working.

“They are giving statements against a country from where they got a wrist watch as gift and sold it out,” he said.

A video message shared on the PTI’s official X handle alleged that when the former prime minister went to Madina “barefoot”, the then army chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa started receiving “their calls”, implying that the Saudi officials had a role in his ouster.

He advised General (retd) Bajwa to come up with denial of Bushra Bibi’s statement.

Asif claimed there was also infighting between Bushra Bibi and her sisters-in-law to inherit politics from the PTI founder.

“Not only that she is calling herself as Shariat but also she has launched herself as political heir to the party’s founder,” he said.

“The country’s politics has not gone so low that one starts exploiting religion; they also consider themselves pious and religious. They claim being religious but the PTI founder’s sons are being brought up by Jews,” he said.

The minister pointed out that the PTI leaded blamed the others of doing politics of inheritance but what they were doing now was the ugly face of politics.

“There is a Qabza Group in Lahore and the other Qabza Group is from Pakpattan,” he said.

Criticising the PTI’s repeated calls for protests and sit-ins, he said instead of focusing on crushing terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they were attacking the federal capital.

Hasnain Qaisrani reports: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Friday said people will no longer heed anti-state activities like sit-ins and long marches.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Kachhi Canal Rehabilitation Project in Taunsa, she asked why these people were interfering when Pakistan had started marching on the path of progress.

“One who loves his dear homeland cannot think of indulging in such nefarious practices. Their agenda is anti-state and totally incomprehensible. We need to think over whether to defend ourselves from our enemies or these anti-state elements. The police officers and sepoys are not terrorists but unfortunately their uniforms are humiliated. The provinces should stay united, as the PMLN has always tried to closely link them.”

The chief minister said shadows of uncertainty once loomed over Pakistan but now it was treading smoothly on the path of progress and prosperity. “The KP government attacks the federation and Punjab, and now it is ready to launch another assault,” she added.

Sher Ali Khalti reports: Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said Bushra Bibi made a disgraceful statement about brotherly Islamic countries on the directions of the PTI founder.

Speaking at Lahore, she said the mention of this lie in the planning of May 24 chaos was undoubtedly a conspiracy against the country.

“The agenda of the PTI founder and Bushra Pinky is the same as that of Israel,” she said.

She further said the PTI founder and Bushra Pinky had gone to extreme lengths in their animosity towards Pakistan.

“As prime minister, the PTI founder took Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia, China, and the United States to a delicate point. He used every tactic to isolate Pakistan internationally. Now, Bushra Pinky, following in her husband’s footsteps, is putting the country’s foreign policy at risk.”

She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had worked tirelessly over the past two years to restore friendly relations with China and Saudi Arabia.

She said a statement from an uneducated and ignorant woman against friendly countries indicated that she was working on the agenda of hostile elements.

The people of Pakistan have now seen the ugly faces of these two deceivers. “Fitna Party” is now unacceptable to Pakistan and its people.”

Asim Yasin reports: PMLN parliamentary leader in the Senate and Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs Senator Irfan Siddiqui Friday said those chanting “No Pakistan without Khan” slogan did not even spare the sacred land of Saudi Arabia from their vicious and anti-Pakistan campaign.

“After the cipher saga, they have now raised baseless allegations against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said in a statement on ‘X’.

Siddiqui said what Bushra Bibi said was part of a well-thought-out and planned strategy. Such an incident has no parallel even in the history of PTI, which is filled with mischief and chaos, he added.

Meanwhile, a case has been registered against Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, under the Telegraph Act of 1885. The FIR was lodged in Dera Ghazi Khan, accusing her of inciting hatred through her video statement.

According to the police, legal proceedings are underway under Section 126 of the Telegraph Act and other relevant laws.

The sources indicate that a case under cybercrime offence is under consideration, adding that FIA Cybercrime Wing could take up the case within 24 hours.