Defence czar says Imran remained under control of Gen Bajwa, Faiz Hamid during PTI govt

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Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said on Sunday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan was under the influence of former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and former ISI chief Faiz Hameed.

In an interview to Geo News, Asif said the claims made in the Economist’s report were true, insisting that Bushra Bibi had “worked for the former ISI chief and the information he passed on her would be confirmed within a few days.”

“A serious joke has been played on Pakistan and a woman has been launched for power,” he said, adding that the massive financial malfeasance took place under a planned scheme and claimed that the loot was partly given to the PTI founder, while the rest was sent abroad.

The defense czar’s remarks sparked wide-ranging debate over the economist’s report, which attributed political influence to Bushra Bibi, his relationship with the PTI founder, and the controversies that had shaped the former premier’s time in power.

The publication details how the two developed a close relationship through spiritual counselling, Bushra Bibi’s divorce and subsequent marriage to Khan and longstanding allegations—denied by the PTI—of their involvement in political decision-making, spiritual practices and influencing government appointments.

Asif also accused the PTI leadership of doing serious harm to a province like Punjab, saying: “It is unfortunate that someone educated in Oxford did all this.”

He also alleged that the Supreme Court’s verdicts against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif were announced under a scheme, and alleged that General Faiz was “controlling both the courts and the PTI founder.”

Commenting on judicial matters after the 27th Amendment recently, Asif said the new law on judicial transfer was in line with international practice.

“Judiciary should remain independent but not in the manner of Saqib Nasir and Ajazul Hasan,” he added.

The defense czar added that former First Lady Bushra Bibi poses a potential threat to national security. Asif added, “If Bushra Bibi has fallen into the hands of an enemy country, serious threats can arise.”

Imran is familiar with the story of the economist in jail

PTI founder Imran Khan is fully aware of the economist’s full story about Bushra Bibi’s influence on his decisions in running the affairs of the government.

He collected the information courtesy TV from the Adiala Jail administration. Sources inside the prison told NewsSacorday evening that the founder was agitated about the article and expressed surprise at the content.

He told others that he would like to consult his wife about the matter before taking any action. The former prime minister said he would ask the jail authorities to facilitate a meeting with Bibi, so that they could work out a joint strategy for action against the publication.

Imran has reportedly indicated that he will ask his lawyers to initiate legal action against the journal, as it has hurt him. Lawyers will meet him next week as per jail rules.

Sources said that the founder chairman and former prime minister described his wife as an intelligent woman. It is not known if the same prison where Bushra Bibi is lodged is aware of the article’s appearance in the magazine.

Superintendent Jail Abdul Ghafoor Anjum was not available for his comments.

PTI promised legal action

A day earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Khan had announced plans to take legal action against a British media report on the political influence of Bushra Bibi during Imran Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister.

Speaking exclusively to Geo News, the PTI chief termed the economist’s report as “inflammatory and false”, saying the report was aimed at defaming the PTI founder and his spouse.

“Earlier, false charges related to IDDAT were leveled against him, acquitting him,” he added.

Barrister Gauhar said such a “fabricated report” would “not break Bashra Baby”.

“At a time when she is in jail, we condemn the publication of such articles,” he said, stressing that the allegations against the former first lady would be proven false in time.

Also, PTI’s Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said the former first lady is facing a “deliberate and organized campaign” aimed at tarnishing her reputation.

Speaking to reporters in Peshawar, Barrister Saif said that despite her “illegal imprisonment”, she had shown “remarkable resilience”.