Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has termed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder’s wife Bushra Bibi’s accusations against Saudi Arabia “enmity with Pakistan” and warned strong reaction from the nation against those planning to sabotage friendship between two countries.
“No one could even think about levelling such allegations,” said the premier addressing the inauguration ceremony of the restoration project of Kachhi Canal that faced destruction in devastating floods in 2022.
“If someone spews venom against Saudi Arabia, then what would they say about Pakistani nation, government, and its politicians,” he questioned. Regretting the sowing the seeds of hatred, the premier said such statements were driven by personal and political agendas.
A day earlier, Bushra issued a rare video message ahead of the PTI’s “do-or-die” protest, accusing Saudi Arabia of being involved in ousting her husband’s government.
Censuring the major opposition party, PM Shehbaz said: “People of such nature fail to realise how much damage their statements can cause to Pakistan.”
Praising the Kachhi Canal project, the premier credited Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti for his efforts to launch the restoration work.
He blamed former military ruler Pervez Musharraf for destroying the irrigation project initiated by former premier Nawaz Sharif in 1998 after being handed over to a contractor without any tender.
The premier emphasised that efforts were needed to generate resources for the completion of the Kachhi Canal projects and expressed hopes that it would open doors of prosperity and development to the Balochistan people.
Addressing the same event, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also came down hard on the former first lady’s statement, saying: “A woman with no political background has attacked an ally country of Pakistan.”
“Saudi Arabia, which has always supported Pakistan in difficult times.” She said PTI had once again launched an assault on an ally state, driven by a dangerous agenda.
This is a developing story and is being updated with more details.
