Bushra Bibi Takes Political Stand, Blames PTI Leadership for Islamabad Sit-in’s Failure

Islamabad:Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan and former First Lady, has openly entered the political arena, blaming the party leadership for the failure of the Islamabad sit-in. In a candid statement, Bushra Bibi criticized PTI leadership, claiming they failed to support her during the protest at D-Chowk. This marks a significant shift in her political stance, as she has now publicly distanced herself from party leadership.

This week, Bushra Bibi visited the home of a deceased PTI worker in Charsadda, where she addressed party workers, declaring herself blameless while subtly holding the leadership accountable for the failure of the Islamabad protest. She claimed that during the D-Chowk sit-in, she was left alone in the final hours, with no one by her side when the situation turned tense.

Her statement sparked a strong rebuttal from Ali Amin Gandapur, a senior PTI leader, who denied her claims. In a media talk, Gandapur clarified that he was with Bushra Bibi during the protest and took her to safety when the situation worsened, following reports of firing. According to Gandapur, he and Bushra Bibi traveled together and entered Khyber Pakhtunkhwa safely.

**Bushra Bibi’s Increasing Influence**

Bushra Bibi’s public remarks have stirred internal debates within PTI. Sources within the party have revealed that leadership is not happy with her role during the Islamabad protest. It is believed that Bushra Bibi acted independently during the long march, disregarding the party’s guidance, and led the protest without consulting senior leaders.

A senior PTI leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed to *V News* that PTI’s chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, was dissatisfied with the march’s direction, and had preferred to delay the move towards Islamabad to facilitate potential negotiations. However, Bushra Bibi’s insistence on reaching D-Chowk quickly, disregarding the leadership’s stance, led to the deteriorating situation.

**Bushra Bibi’s Unexpected Leadership Role**

As per PTI insiders, Bushra Bibi was initially involved in managing logistics from the Chief Minister House in Peshawar and was not expected to take a central role in the march. Her sudden decision to lead the march and take charge of the protests left senior leaders, including Ali Amin Gandapur, stunned. Reports suggest that both Gandapur and Omar Ayub tried multiple times to advise her during the journey on the motorway, but she ignored their counsel.

When PTI leaders visited Imran Khan in jail, they were reportedly shocked to learn that Bushra Bibi was leading the march. Imran Khan had instructed that if serious negotiations were possible, the march should not go to D-Chowk. Despite attempts to communicate this message, Bushra Bibi remained adamant, resulting in the confrontation at D-Chowk.

**Tensions Between Bushra Bibi and PTI Leadership**

The tension between Bushra Bibi and the PTI leadership deepened after the Islamabad march. Sources from within PTI have reported that several senior leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with her behavior, particularly in a party meeting held at the Chief Minister House. One leader, who attended the meeting, revealed that Bushra Bibi was openly critical of the leadership, using harsh words and blaming everyone for the party’s failures.

A senior PTI leader, speaking anonymously, stated that there are serious reservations about Bushra Bibi’s role in the party. Many leaders have now refused to meet with her, and some even believe that she is using the discontent among party workers to her advantage, positioning herself as a leader.

**Bushra Bibi’s Ambitions**

There is growing speculation that Bushra Bibi is aiming to take over the leadership of PTI, particularly in her husband’s absence. According to senior journalist Arif Hayat, who covered the march from Peshawar to Islamabad, it became clear that Bushra Bibi was keen on leading the party during Imran Khan’s absence. Throughout the journey, she made key decisions without consulting the party leadership, disregarding their attempts at negotiation and pushing for an expedited march to D-Chowk, which eventually resulted in a standoff with security forces.

**The Question of Bushra Bibi’s Role in the Protest**

Arif Hayat raised questions about Bushra Bibi’s claims of being alone during the march. He stated that while Bushra Bibi may have been in a separate vehicle, she was accompanied by the Chief Minister’s security detail, and her vehicle was traveling alongside others, including Gandapur’s. He further questioned how Bushra Bibi could have been “alone” if she was later seen traveling with Gandapur to Mansehra for safety.

**The Growing Rift Within PTI**

Post-march, Bushra Bibi’s behavior has led to increasing unease within PTI’s senior ranks. Despite her lack of an official position in the party, it appears that she is leveraging her status as Imran Khan’s wife to assert influence and control. Some party leaders are worried that her actions are undermining the party’s cohesion and creating rifts that could harm its long-term prospects.

According to PTI insiders, Bushra Bibi is now playing a more direct role in the party’s internal dynamics, seeking to garner support from disgruntled workers. Many in the party believe that she is trying to position herself as the new face of PTI, capitalizing on the leadership vacuum created by Imran Khan’s incarceration.

This shift in Bushra Bibi’s political involvement signals a new chapter for PTI, one where she may continue to play a central role, potentially reshaping the party’s leadership structure in the coming months.