Ex-Pak army chief, PTI react to Bushra Bibi's claims about Saudi Arabia

Former Pakistan Army chief General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) have reacted to recent remarks made by Khan's wife Bushbra Bibi about Saudi Arabia.

Bibi's remarks about Saudi Arabia have received backlash from government officials. The PTI has distanced itself from these remarks while Bajwa said that Bibi's remarks about Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations were "100 per cent false."

What did Bibi say?

According to Pakistani media reports on Friday (Nov 22), a video message was shared on PTI's account on X where Bushra Bibi alleged that Saudi officials had expressed displeasure over Imran Khan’s visit to Madina in 2022.

Also read | Imran Khan's PTI barred by Islamabad court from Nov 24 rally, citing Belaruz prez visit, public order law

Bibi said that then Pakistan Army chief Bajwa received calls from Saudi officials questioning Imran’s presence, saying, “We don’t want such personalities.”

She further claimed that this incident led to a smear campaign labelling her husband as a “Jewish agent” and eventually contributed to his removal from office.

In the video message, Bibi also called on PTI supporters to attend a rally on Sunday (Nov 24) to demand Khan's release from jail.

The criticism by Bajwa, PTI

Sources close to Bajwa denied the allegations levelled by Bushra Bibi. "This is a blatant lie," the sources told WION and pointed out that Bajwa received no calls from Saudi officials.

Meanwhile, Bajwa himself told The Express Tribune that during Bibi's visit to Saudi Arabia, she was welcomed with great honour, receiving numerous gifts. 

The former army chief also said that relations between Islamabad and Riyadh had never deteriorated, citing a single instance in which ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s statement had caused some concerns.

On the other hand, the PTI clarified that Bibi's remarks about Saudi Arabia playing a role in Imran Khan's ouster were her personal opinion and did not reflect the party's position.

“Her statement was not issued on behalf of the party, and it is baseless to link her personal views with PTI policy,” Advisor to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information and Public Relations Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif told Geo News.

“Bushra Bibi’s viewpoint is her own. She will clarify whether her statement was personal or intended to represent the party’s stance,” Saif added.

He also clarified that PTI had never issued any statement alleging Saudi Arabia’s involvement in Imran Khan’s removal from the prime minister's post.

Pak govt reacts

On Friday, the Pakistani government rejected the remarks made by Bibi about Saudi Arabia.

In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said, "Implicating Saudi Arabia for petty political point scoring is regrettable and indicative of a desperate mindset. We urge all political forces to desist from compromising Pakistan’s foreign policy in pursuance of their political objectives."

“Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are close friends and brothers. This relationship is based on mutual respect,” Dar added. 

(With inputs from agencies)