The British magazine The Economist is considered among the world’s leading publications. Recently, The Economist Lifestyle Magazine published a report about former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, titled “The Sufi, the Cricketer and the Spy: Pakistan’s Game of Thrones.” The report created a global stir. It became the biggest story in the magazine’s history over one million people read it within the first 24 hours, and millions have read it since, setting a new record. The report was prepared by world-renowned senior journalist Owen Bennett-Jones together with his Pakistani associate Bushra Taskeen. It sheds detailed light on Bushra Bibi’s political role during Imran Khan’s tenure, her influence, and her impact on Pakistan’s politics. PTI leadership termed the report “planted,” and party supporters launched an online attack against Bushra Taskeen.
According to the report, former First Lady Bushra Bibi influenced Imran Khan’s political thinking and infused spirituality into his life. Everyday matters of governance-postings, transfers, meetings, and even visits-were allegedly carried out based on magic and spiritual practices. The report claims that former intelligence chief General Faiz Hameed used Bushra Bibi shrewdly; he would relay information to her through an officer, and Bushra Bibi would present it to Imran Khan as if it had been revealed to her through spiritual insight. When these “predictions” proved correct, Imran Khan’s belief in her spiritual abilities grew stronger.
European media has historically supported Imran Khan due to his European connections. But for the first time, a British publication-The Economist-has raised serious questions about Bushra Bibi’s political role, making her political future appear bleak. Last year she managed to gather a large crowd, but after the publication of this report-which is difficult to refute-she has been exposed like a bubble bursting, and the spiritual persona she had cultivated now stands unmasked. The publication of this report has not only embarrassed Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi but has also sparked a new national and international debate. A key question arising from the report is: did former intelligence chief General Faiz Hameed use the then First Lady for his own objectives, or did Bushra Bibi use General Faiz? In my view, each party exploited the other in this power game. Imran Khan married Bushra Bibi with the hope of becoming Prime Minister; General Faiz sought the First Lady’s trust to fulfill his dream of becoming Army Chief; and Bushra Bibi used sensitive information obtained from General Faiz under the guise of spirituality to control Prime Minister and influence government decisions and gain financial benefits-certainly a troubling matter. This entire saga damaged Pakistan’s reputation and created the global impression that the leader of a nuclear-armed nation of 250 million-who claimed immense popularity and promised to turn Pakistan into a “State of Madinah”-was making governmental decisions based on magic and spiritual practices.
Field Marshal General Asim Munir deserves appreciation for demonstrating courage during Imran Khan’s tenure as ISI chief by informing the Prime Minister about Bushra Bibi’s alleged corruption. As a result, Asim Munir was removed from his post. One wishes that then-Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had, like General Munir, realized the gravity of the situation and informed the Prime Minister about how the First Lady was allegedly manipulating the state but he lacked such courage. The report raises important questions: What is the legitimate role of spirituality in Pakistan’s politics, and is it beneficial for national security? Is it not the responsibility of our political institutions and leadership to shield the country from superstition and occult practices? Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan, and many African nations have imposed complete bans on black magic and similar activities, treating them as criminal acts. The Government of Pakistan should also impose a ban on such practices so that no woman like Bushra Bibi can use claims of spirituality to influence state affairs and national security in the future.
