On Thursday, Bibi in a video message alleged that after her husband Imran Khan visited Medina barefoot as the prime minister, he began receiving calls from former army chief General (retd) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

The former first lady alleged that Bajwa was informed about attempts to dismantle the system of Sharia, raising concerns about Khan’s advocacy for Islamic law.

The former army chief denied the ex-first lady’s claims in conversation with journalist Mohammad Malick. Bajwa stated that no such calls were received upon “Khan’s return from Saudi Arabia”.

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also slammed it and regretted that such statements were made for “petty political point-scoring.”

Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz Sharif criticised such statements. “It is an unforgivable crime that you spew venom [against Saudi Arabia] after that. I want to announce as the prime minister that any hand that becomes an obstacle in the friendship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the nation will break those hands,” he said at a ceremony.

The PTI leadership has decided to distance itself from Bibi’s statement, sources said as the former ruling party expresses concerns over the comments.

They added that Khan’s wife has been asked to consult the party before making any statement. Moreover, she would not play a “central role” in November 24’s protest.

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She also tried to send a message to her husband via Mishal Yousafzai, but the lawyer did not get permission to meet him.

Khan has ordered that Bibi kept out of politics after the party leadership’s concerns over the matter.