'Bushra Bibi did not name Saudi Arabia' in remarks about Medina visit: PTI's Raoof Hasan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Rauf Hassan has stated that Bushra Bibi holds no official position within the party and did not name Saudi Arabia in her recent remarks about Imran Khan's visit to Medina

Hassan condemned the government's handling of the situation, calling it a "malicious and irresponsible" attempt to create controversy.

"Saudi Arabia is our brotherly country," Hassan said, responding to ongoing claims that PTI leadership had involved Saudi Arabia in internal political matters. He questioned the government's actions, asking, “Where exactly did Bushra Bibi mention Saudi Arabia?”

Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founding chairman Imran Khan, stirred controversy with remarks about her husband's first visit to Medina, where he walked barefoot.

In a video, she said, "When Khan went to Medina barefoot for the first time, as soon as he returned, General Bajwa immediately started receiving calls asking, 'What is this? What have you brought here?'"

She added that the callers expressed concerns, saying, "We are trying to abolish Shariah here, and you brought the overseers of Shariah with you. We do not want this."

Bushra Bibi further stated that she and Imran Khan had been targeted 'ever since, with filth being lobbed against the wife and Khan being called an agent of the jews (Yahoodis).'

She said "if this was not true General Bajwa and his family could be asked since they had shared these details with some one, which had reached Imran Khan."

Bushra Bibi then mentioned that 'later, while in power other government departments also provide reports, they too had told 'Imran Khan that this was the real story, that Khan is being punish for this, "for your country, for real freedom, for justice and for walking barefoot in Medina, this is what he is being punished for."'

Meanwhile talking about PTI's relations with the establishment, Hassan emphasised that dialogue between PTI leadership and the establishment is crucial for the country's functioning.

He also reiterated that PTI's stance on protests remains firm, with Imran Khan holding the sole authority to call off any planned demonstrations.

When asked about the recent ruling by the Islamabad High Court, which declared the planned protests in Islamabad illegal, Hassan stated that PTI remains committed to its cause and will continue its efforts regardless of the court's decision.

Former Army Chief General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa's reaction

Former Army Chief General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa has strongly denied recent claims made by Bushra Bibi 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.

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.

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.

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?"