ISLAMABAD – A recent report by UK’s The Economist highlights the significant role of Bushra Bibi, wife and spiritual adviser to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in shaping Pakistan’s political landscape. The report reveals how her influence extended behind the scenes, affecting key decisions and controlling access to Khan.
According to the report, Bushra Bibi played a decisive role in guiding Khan’s political trajectory. Insiders said she determined schedules, monitored flights, and controlled who could meet him. PTI officials who questioned her authority were reportedly sidelined, while loyal staff were retained, showing her power over both personal and state matters.
The report also described unusual rituals at Khan’s residence, including practices intended to exorcise “evil spirits” linked to his ex-wife. These rituals, which included waving animal parts near Khan’s head, underscore the mysticism surrounding the former prime minister’s inner circle.
Former cabinet members cited in the report called her influence “absolute,” emphasizing how personal loyalty and spiritual guidance often outweighed institutional governance. The article suggests that Bushra Bibi’s networks may have intersected with intelligence agencies, influencing major political decisions.
The report further questioned PTI’s narrative as an outsider party, pointing out that Khan’s political victories were aided by the military establishment and ISI.
Several economic promises, including housing and job creation schemes, went unfulfilled, while controversies over lavish gifts and the Al-Qadir-style trust raised further concerns. Both Khan and Bushra Bibi have faced legal challenges, including prison sentences, casting doubt on the party’s anti-corruption stance.
While holding no elected office, Bushra Bibi continues to be a key political actor, according to the report. Friends of Khan described him as trusting and sometimes naïve, placing immense confidence in her guidance. Analysts say this dynamic shaped major decisions within the PTI and altered Pakistan’s political trajectory.
In other news read more about Court Orders Blocking of PTI Leaders’ Passports Over Nov 26 Protest
The Economist article portrays a political landscape where mysticism, personal loyalty, and hidden influence intersected, with Bushra Bibi emerging as one of the most powerful figures behind the country’s leadership.
