Bushra Bibi, the wife of PTI founder Imran Khan, has confirmed that she will not be participating in the party’s crucial protest scheduled for November 24 in Islamabad. Her spokesperson, Mashal Yousafzai, confirmed the decision on Saturday, stating that Bushra Bibi was not feeling well and, therefore, would be unable to attend.
Despite her absence from the protest, sources indicated that Bushra Bibi had been actively involved in party matters since November 1, including chairing several important meetings in Peshawar. She had also overseen preparations for the protest aimed at securing the release of Imran Khan.
However, sources close to PTI revealed that Imran Khan himself had sent a message advising his wife to refrain from engaging in political activities at this time.
Bushra Bibi’s political involvement comes amidst mounting legal challenges. She has been embroiled in a controversy surrounding a video statement, which has led to the filing of multiple cases against her. Five cases have been registered under the Telegraph Act of 1885, with the first filed in Dera Ghazi Khan at the Jamal Khan Police Station. The complainant, Ghulam Yaseen, alleged that Bushra Bibi’s statement on a private news channel was part of a conspiracy to damage Pakistan’s relations with Saudi Arabia. The FIR claimed that the statement was offensive to Pakistani sentiment and urged legal action against her.
Additionally, another case was filed against Bushra Bibi in Rajanpur, while two other cases have been registered in Gujranwala and Multan. A case in Layyah was also initiated under Section 129 of the Telegraph Act.
In her controversial video statement, Bushra Bibi had claimed that when Imran Khan visited Madinah barefoot, former army chief General Bajwa received calls questioning, “Who are these religious extremists you are bringing?” This comment further fueled tensions, leading to the legal actions.
As she faces these ongoing legal challenges, Bushra Bibi’s decision to abstain from participating in the protest is seen as a cautious move in light of her health and legal circumstances.