Ex-army chief Bajwa strongly rejects Bushra Bibi’s claims about Saudi Arabia as '100% false'

Former Army Chief General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa has strongly denied recent claims made by Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, regarding the country’s relations with Saudi Arabia, calling her statement “100% false.”

In an exclusive conversation with Express News, General (Retd) Javed Bajwa rejected Bushra Bibi’s allegations, emphasising that no country would make such claims, particularly one with whom Pakistan has long-standing friendly ties.

He explained that during Bushra Bibi's visits to Saudi Arabia, including those to the holy sites of the Khana-e-Kaaba and the Prophet’s Mosque, she was welcomed with great honour, receiving numerous gifts.

"How could a country speak in such a manner, especially one with whom we have such a strong friendship?" General Bajwa said. "During Bushra Bibi's visit, the doors of the Khana-e-Kaaba and the Roza-e-Rasool (P.B.U.H) were opened for her, and she was gifted generously."

General Bajwa further explained that both Imran and Bushra Bibi had visited Saudi Arabia multiple times, with the former army chief accompanying them during a trip in 2021. He questioned how any country could criticise the implementation of Sharia, noting that Saudi Arabia had rolled over billions of dollars in financial assistance to Pakistan.

"This lady's claims puzzle me," Bajwa continued. "It seems like Imran Khan may also start endorsing this narrative in the future."

Referring to the relationship with Saudi Arabia, Bajwa clarified that it had never deteriorated, citing a single instance in which ex foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s statement had caused some concerns in Riyadh.

However, the former army chief pointed out that Saudi Arabia continued to support Pakistan’s role on the international stage, particularly highlighting the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference held in Islamabad in March 2022.

"If Saudi Arabia had been upset with us, would they have allowed the OIC conference to take place in Islamabad?" Bajwa asked, also recalling a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who personally greeted Imran Khan upon his arrival in Jeddah.

Refuting Bushra Bibi’s accusations that she was criticised for her husband’s actions in Medina, Bajwa stated, "Such claims are unfounded. How can relations deteriorate when the Saudi Crown Prince himself came to receive us?"

In her video statement, Bushra Bibi said that when Imran Khan went to Medina barefoot and returned, ex army chief General (Retd) Bajwa started recieving calls from Saudi Arabia.

"We don't want such people; we are about to remove Sharia from the country, and you have brought such a person here." She added that the PTI founder had never made these statements publicly. If these claims are false, she suggested, they should be asked to the former army chief and his family

Bushra Bibi claimed that since then, an attempt was made to tarnish their reputation, with people speaking against her and calling the founder of PTI a Jewish agent.

As for the PTI’s political agenda, Bushra Bibi clarified that there would be no changes to the planned rally on November 24 unless Imran Khan personally addressed the nation and outlined the next steps. “The date will not change unless Khan himself comes forward to speak to the public,” she stressed.

Bushra Bibi concluded her statement urging PTI supporters to reject any false messages that might circulate, reaffirming that the date would remain fixed unless the party’s leadership decided otherwise.