Imran seeks to punch holes in govt narrative

PTI founder says enjoying 'excellent relations' with Saudi Arabia

ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR:

A day after Bushra Bibi accused Saudi Arabia of involvement in the ouster of her husband's government, PTI founding chairman Imran Khan came to her defence, stating that her remarks were "deliberately taken out of context to draw our brotherly country into a needless controversy".

In a statement issued from Adiala Jail, the former prime minister clarified, "She [Bushra] didn't mention Saudi Arabia at all".

The PTI chairman rebuffed the narrative purported by the government, asserting his "excellent relations" with Saudi Arabia.

"When I was attacked in Wazirabad, one of the first calls I received was, through the embassy, from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman," he said, adding that the Kingdom has consistently supported Pakistan in its most challenging times.

Imran Khan was referring to the November 3, 2022, assassination attempt in Wazirabad, where he sustained a gunshot wound to his leg while leading a protest march.

The PTI chief defended his spouse's involvement in the preparations for the party's November 24 rally, saying that Bushra Bibi had no political connections and only conveyed his message to the nation regarding the November 24 protest.

Labelling the day as "the day to break free from slavery," Khan framed the upcoming protest as a pivotal moment for the nation.

"The rule of law, constitution, and human rights were suspended in Pakistan," he said, urging citizens to make sacrifices to reclaim their rights.

Commenting on his tenure, he highlighted a successful Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Foreign Ministers' Conference in Islamabad two weeks before his government was toppled.

"This would have been impossible to do had Saudi Arabia not supported and stood with us," he said.

Imran reiterated his long-standing claim that his government was brought down through conspiracies orchestrated by former army chief General Bajwa.

"I tried to have these investigated through the Chief Justice and General Tariq Khan, but General Bajwa did not allow that to happen," he said.

Imran Khan invoked historical analogies, comparing their decision to either embracing the "yoke of slavery like Bahadur Shah Zafar" or wearing the "crown of freedom like Tipu Sultan."

Meanwhile, Barrister Dr Saif also clarified that the controversial statement made by Bushra Bibi regarding Saudi Arabia was being misrepresented in the media.

He said that the statements attributed to Bushra Bibi were being taken out of context to divert attention from ongoing protests.

He emphasised that during the interview, Bushra Bibi did not accuse Saudi Arabia or Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of any wrongdoing.

He also clarified that Bushra Bibi did not claim that General Bajwa had received any call from Saudi Arabia or Mohammed bin Salman to discuss Sharia matters.

He further asserted that the relationship between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan is exemplary and is being undermined by the current "illegitimate" government.

According to Barrister Saif, the government's animosity towards Imran Khan is negatively affecting Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia.

Barrister Saif accused the government of damaging the interests of overseas Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia due to its hostility towards Imran Khan.

He stated that the government's primary concern is to suppress the ongoing protests, and it is willing to go to any extent to divert attention from them.

He appealed to the public not to be misled by the government's baseless propaganda and urged them to prepare for upcoming protests.