Imran and Bushra are 'embarrassing country': Talal Chaudhry

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) senator Talal Chaudhry criticised Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, accusing them of embarrassing the nation and destabilising politics for personal gain on Saturday.

In a press conference in Islamabad, Chaudhry stated that Imran’s self-serving approach has damaged Pakistan’s governance and tarnished relations with foreign allies.

He claimed that “non-political” figures now control PTI’s leadership, compromising national interests, Express News reported.

Chaudhry also referred to the alleged preferential practices in government roles under the PTI’s rule in Punjab, where, he claimed, posts and transfers were “priced.”

He further criticised recent comments made by the PTI founder’s wife, Bushra Bibi, about Saudi Arabia, suggesting they 'reflected poorly on Pakistan’s diplomacy.'

Following Bushra Bibi’s remarks about the founder’s pilgrimage to Medina, a case under the Telegraph Act of 1885 was registered against her in Dera Ghazi Khan. Filed by a local resident, the complaint accuses her of statements that harm the country's image.

Bushra Bibi's Saudi jibe draws scathing govt flak

The government unleashed a scathing response by turning the controversial remarks of jailed PTI founding chairman Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, about Saudi Arabia into a fresh political flashpoint that left the former ruling party scrambling for damage control just ahead of its planned rally in the federal capital on November 24.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif led the charge by branding Bushra Bibi's comments as a dangerous affront to Pakistan's ties with the Kingdom, and a blow to national interest. He said that spewing venom against a country that stood by Pakistan for decades without demanding anything in return was an unforgivable crime.

The PM said the nation would not tolerate any propaganda jeopardising vital Pak-Saudi ties. His remarks were echoed by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who called Bushra Bibi's claims "unfortunate," accusing her of tarnishing the legacy of a country that has long stood by Pakistan.

At the heart of the controversy is Bushra Bibi's remarks about her husband's first visit to Madina, where he walked barefoot.

In a video, she said, "When Khan went to Madina 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 Madina, this is what he is being punished for."'

Meanwhile, 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.

Defence Minister Asif, meanwhile, pointed toward PTI's internal rifts, and suggested that some within the party were, perhaps, resisting Imran's release from prison.

While PTI downplayed her remarks, the government sharpened its narrative with PM Shehbaz saying there can be no greater disservice to Pakistan than spewing venom against the country that always opened its doors.

Meanwhile, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said on X, formerly Twitter, that Bushra Bibi did not directly or indirectly name the leadership or government of Saudi Arabia in her video message.

He said that PTI views the relationship with Saudi Arabia with great respect and dignity and wants to expand further on the "brotherly and friendly" relationship.