FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi`s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying Saudi Arabia`s role in her husband Imran Khan`s ouster over what she said was Mr Khan`s barefooted pilgrimage to Madina represents a remarkable display of political naivety.

Without naming any country, she claimed that `they`, who sought to `abolish the Sharia in their own country`, didn`t want a `champion of Sharia` like Mr Khan. Implicating the Saudis after the Americans in Mr Khan`s removal seems to have come out of left field. And what timing: the party is looking to stage its self-proclaimed last stand protest in Islamabad tomorrow. Now with Ms Bushra`s claims detracting from the planned protest, the PTI is in full damage control mode, with Mr Khan saying her words were `taken out of context`. Party officials insist that she did not explicitly name the Saudis and claim her criticism was aimed solely at ex-COAS Qamar Bajwa, to whom calls were made following the visit. However, this does little to mitigate the fallout. With senior PTI figures calling the statement a `bombshell,` it is evident that Ms Bushra`s outburst has compounded the party`s struggles.

The government swiftly seized the narrative. The defence minister labelled the statement `vile and disgusting`, accusing the PTI of seeking to salvage its floundering political fortunes. He also alleged an internal power struggle between Ms Bushra and Mr Khan`s sisters. Meanwhile, the finance minister emphasised the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, calling the remarks a `desperate mindset` unbecoming of political leadership. Saudi Arabia has supported Pakistan in economic and diplomatic crisis.

To drag such a critical ally into unfounded conspiracies is detrimental to Pakistan`s foreign policy. The PTI must reflect on the consequences of such a faux pas. At a time when Pakistan desperately needs support from its allies, such unwarranted controversies serve neither the PTI`s interests nor the nation`s.