Defence Minister Khawaja Asif suggested on Tuesday that Imran Khan’s wife’s recent release from prison and departure to Peshawar were not usual developments, hinting at a “behind the scene story.”
Asif also posted a message on his social media account saying that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, had “tricks” to make tall claims, threaten, appear and suddenly disappear from his party rallies.
“Perhaps the entire PTI are in the process of making a fool of themselves. There is an indication of a behind-the-scene story in saying goodbye to Punjab by Begum Sahiba and her camping in the annexe of the Peshawar Chief Minister House. These two personalities give news of a fixed wrestling and some sort of an apology. And this is not happening without the will of the PTI founder,” the Federal Minister wrote.
He also stated that all of them are fooling party workers. Furthermore, while talking to a reporter outside the Parliament, Khawaja Asif said, “We need to observe why she [Bushra Bibi] went to the frontier [KP]? Even though their own supporters say that their CM KP has his software updated, why did she go there?”
The PML-N leader clarified that he was not speculating but only observing the current circumstances. “She has a house here in Islamabad, and another in Lahore, but why did she decide to go to Peshawar,” the minister asked.
On October 24, Bushra Bibi was released from Adiala Jail a day after being granted bail in the new Toshakhana case, ending nearly nine months of detention.
The former first lady was taken into custody on January 31 after an Islamabad accountability court sentenced her and Khan to 14 years in jail in the Toshakhana reference.
Bushra had been incarcerated in Adiala Jail, and in the most recent case, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has accused the couple of retaining an expensive Bvlgari jewellery set gifted by a foreign leader — including a necklace, earrings, bracelets, and rings — at a low price, saying it caused significant loss to the exchequer.
Later in the day, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson Barrister Saif said she safely reached Peshawar, where she would stay for some time.
Speaking outside Adiala Jail, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan highlighted that the former first lady had “endured jail for nine months in extreme conditions with a lot of courage”.
Earlier this week, Gohar also clarified that Bushra’s release is on merit and has nothing to do with any alleged deal. Similarly, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram defended Khan’s spouse, saying that Bushra Bibi is a housewife and can live wherever she likes to.
