A massive protest led by Bushra Bibi, the wife of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, leaving a trail of destruction and raising questions about her future role in politics.
On Tuesday afternoon, Bibi, dressed in a white shawl with her face veiled, stood atop a shipping container in central Islamabad, addressing thousands of her husband’s supporters. The crowd, chanting slogans and waving flags, had gathered in response to Khan’s imprisonment more than a year ago after falling out with Pakistan’s powerful military.
“My children and my brothers! You have to stand with me,” Bibi urged the crowd, adding, “But even if you don’t, I will still stand firm. This is not just about my husband. It is about this country and its leader.”
This event marked Bibi’s political debut, as she led the “final march” demanding the release of Khan, who has been incarcerated on charges he claims are politically motivated. The protest was part of a broader movement spearheaded by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which Khan led before his imprisonment.
However, as dawn broke on Wednesday, the protest turned chaotic. Witnesses reported sudden blackouts in the city, followed by clouds of tear gas and gunfire as clashes erupted at D Chowk, the protest’s destination. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and violence, with many protesters fleeing the area. One woman, Samia, recounted the moment her husband was shot, stating it was “like doomsday or a war.”
By 1:00 AM, authorities declared that all protesters had fled, and Bibi’s shipping container was set on fire by unknown individuals. Videos on social media suggested Bibi had left the scene, switching cars to escape. Though the footage could not be independently verified, her sudden exit has sparked criticism and confusion within PTI ranks.
Some supporters were sympathetic, claiming Bibi had been forced to leave by party leaders, while others accused her of abandoning the protest. Political analysts have also weighed in, with some arguing that her departure damaged her credibility as a political figure before it even began.
Despite the controversy, many PTI supporters remain loyal to Bibi, seeing her as the link to Imran Khan. “She is the one who truly wants to get him out,” said Asim Ali, a resident of Islamabad. Some insiders believe that while she may not have explicit political ambitions, her participation was a strategic move to keep the party active and unified during Khan’s absence.
The protest and Bibi’s leadership have opened a new chapter in Pakistan’s political landscape, with questions about her future role in the PTI and the potential for her to step into the political void left by her husband’s imprisonment.
