A controversy has arisen within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over who should act as Bushra Bibi’s spokesperson following the conviction of party founder Imran Khan in the £190m reference case. Both Musarrat Jamshed Cheema and Mishal Yousafzai have claimed the post.
During the hearing of the GHQ attack case on May 9 in Adiala Jail, Mishal Yousafzai claimed that Imran Khan had appointed her as Bushra Bibi’s focal person and spokesperson. She also claimed that Khan instructed Cheema to accompany her in media briefings.
Conversely, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema claimed that she was appointed as the spokesperson while Yousafzai was solely tasked with handling Bushra Bibi’s legal issues.
When asked for clarity, Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, stated: “The party can officially notify anyone about the role of spokesperson. I will comment further once the notification is issued.”
Speaking to the media, Yousafzai claimed she is facing internal conspiracies orchestrated by staff trying to block her prison access. “I will not remain silent. I will resist,” she vowed, adding that she remains Bushra Bibi’s focal point and spokesperson.
“Musarrat Cheema will stand next to me during media talks, but I have always been the spokesperson and I will continue to be so.” Cheema has yet to issue an official response to Yousafzai’s remarks.
