Defence Minister Claims Release of Bushra Bibi and KP CM’s Reappearance Part of Political “Charade”

Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal): The recent release of former First Lady Bushra Bibi and the disappearance and reappearance of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur have raised suspicions of a “political charade and compromise,” allegedly orchestrated with the consent of PTI founder Imran Khan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed on Tuesday.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Asif remarked, “The release of Begum Sahiba and her trip to Peshawar isn’t just a typical event. Similarly, Gandapur’s actions—issuing threats, then vanishing from rallies only to reappear—reflect a calculated strategy.”

Asif’s comments came after Bibi was released from Adiala Jail on October 24, following a nine-month imprisonment before the elections, and after the KP CM went missing from KP House during a PTI protest earlier this month. Gandapur reappeared in the KP Assembly on October 7, almost 30 hours after he was reported missing from the state house in Islamabad.

The defence minister further suggested that Bushra Bibi’s decision to leave Punjab and settle in the Peshawar Chief Minister’s House annex hinted at a “broader agenda.” He asserted that both figures were likely part of a strategic political maneuver, adding, “This isn’t happening without the PTI founder’s consent. Together, they’re attempting to mislead their supporters.”

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed skepticism regarding the developments.

When asked by a journalist if Bibi’s release was the outcome of a deal, Kundi hinted that Gandapur might have influenced her release. He noted that Bushra Bibi had been in custody for nearly nine months before being freed through a court order.

“Whether a deal was made or not, people are keen to know the truth,” he said.

Imran Khan has reportedly shared similar concerns, according to his sister, Naureen Niazi.

Naureen told reporters outside the Islamabad High Court on Monday that her brother had questioned whether any agreements had been reached following the bail granted to two of his sisters.

Khan’s sisters, Aleema and Uzma, were released from Jhelum Jail on October 25 after securing bail in a case related to the PTI’s protest in Islamabad. They had been detained for joining the protest despite a ban on public gatherings in the capital.

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