Bushra Bibi’s ‘spiritual influence’ shaped key state decisions, The Economist reports

A new report by the British magazine The Economist alleges that Bushra Bibi, wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, exerted significant political and spiritual influence over important government decisions during Khan’s tenure.

Authored by senior journalists Owen Bennett and Bushra Taskeen, the report claims Bushra Bibi influenced in making government as well as political appointments and policies, with Imran’s decision-making often appearing to rely on spiritual guidance.

Opponents of Imran accused Bushra of guiding the prime minister’s decisions on the basis of visions and dreams. The former prime minister’s supporters, however, viewed Bushra as a spiritual figure offering counsel during challenging times.

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The report further claims that Imran placed greater emphasis on superstition and spiritual advice than politics, and that he married Bushra, his spiritual mentor, believing it would help him ascend to the prime ministership. Bushra’s influence, the report suggests, extended deeply into both his personal life and political strategy.

According to The Economist, household staff were asked to procure specific items for what were described as her “spiritual operations”. The report alleges that even the prime minister’s aircraft could not take off without her approval once.

The magazine also highlights how Bushra’s political and spiritual clout sometimes extended to high-level government appointments and policy decisions, adding another layer of complexity to Pakistan’s already tense political landscape.

It further said that the strained relationship between Imran’s government and the military was further complicated by Bushra’s role, with her influence continuing to be a point of contention as Pakistan navigates its ongoing political turmoil.