According to international media, the report examines how Bushra Bibi’s third marriage to Imran Khan raised questions not only about his personal life but also about his approach to governance. It claims that she attempted to shape critical government matters through “spiritual consultations,” which reportedly dominated Khan’s decision-making process. Sources close to the former premier suggested that her involvement introduced an element of spiritual guidance into governance, sometimes at the expense of merit-based administration.
Authored by senior journalist Owen Bennett Jones for The Economist, the investigative report states that Bushra Bibi’s spiritual consultations influenced Khan’s decisions, hindering his ability to implement certain reforms. The magazine further alleges that some members of Pakistan’s intelligence agencies passed information directly to Bushra Bibi, which she then presented to Khan as insights derived from her spiritual practices.
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The Economist Group’s digital magazine 1843 added that Khan married his spiritual advisor believing it would help him ascend to the premiership, suggesting his decision was driven more by superstition than political strategy.
The report claims that Bushra Bibi became “the final authority in state matters,” with the Prime Minister’s plane reportedly unable to take off without her approval. It alleges that loyal aides and long-serving household staff were dismissed at her instructions. In one instance, she was reportedly present during a one-on-one meeting between Khan and then-Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, speaking for most of the discussion.
The magazine also claims that when then-DG ISI Lt. Gen. Asim Munir raised concerns regarding Bushra Bibi’s alleged misconduct, Khan removed him from his position. It describes her influence as extending deeply into both Khan’s personal life and political decisions, including reportedly directing household staff to procure items for her spiritual rituals.
These allegations contribute to the ongoing debates surrounding the PTI founder and his governance style during his premiership.
