“There are only two leaders in the 21st century – Imran Khan and Erdogan,” says Bushra Maneka
The woman under the veil; First Lady Bushra Maneka, sat down for a live interview with Nadeem Malik of HUM News. This was her first official TV appearance and the general public has been waiting in anticipation for this to occur.
The First Lady has long been a topic of great interest for Pakistanis around the world. From questioning how she came to be in our PM’s wife, to wondering about the details of their private lives; people want to know it all.
The interview was quite a detailed one and she maintained her composure through it all, answering everything in a calm and collected demeanor.
It started with Malik questioning Imran Khan’s love of dogs and his attire, not exactly the best way to begin the first interview with a First Lady. Bushra Bibi mentioned Imran Khan’s limited wardrobe, shedding some light into their private life by narrating a time when she helped him back for a trip to London. It was a rather charming affair.
Speaking very highly of PM Imran Khan, she praised him repeatedly mentioning his down-to-earth personality and the simple life he prefers to lead. She emphasized on how Imran Khan wishes nothing more than to revive the lost strength of Pakistan.
Bushra Bibi claimed that Pakistan is fortunate to have a leader like Imran Khan, who isn’t just a politician but the ideal kind of leader that we need in the modern world.
She further defended her husband stating: “Tabdeeli” takes time, Imran Khan doesn’t have a magical wand to fix things immediately. She assured the public that the PM had no personal interests and only wanted to give back to his country to the max of his capabilities. She believes Allah has it written that Imran Khan will free Pakistan.
Eventually, the conversation turned to the First Lady herself and her duties to the country. She mentioned visiting various communities to offer any help to those less fortunate than her. Bushra Bibi also talked about how proud she was of being recognized by her “parda” (veil).
The interview was concluded with Bushra Bibi commenting on not having much interest in being in the media spotlight initially but also assured that she was warming up to the idea now. She also addressed Malik and requested his help in identifying which areas and communities she could further help out, expressing great concern for the protection of women in the workplace.
It was truly enlightening, seeing our First Lady in such an up close and personal manner. People took to Twitter to express their opinions.
Some were truly impressed by how well she handled the questions and the respectful way she carried herself.
https://twitter.com/iamDurrani1/status/1045349105940279296
Absolutely impressed; our First Lady Bushra bibi is clearheaded and confident. Great interview pic.twitter.com/T23O3JGQqV
— Muaz Naz (@muaz_naz) September 27, 2018
While others were satisfied by the clarification provided by her regarding all the controversies that had risen up recently.
One of an amazing interview I’ve listened after a while. Bushra bibi gave proper shutup call to pseudo liberals and propaganda on her nikkah with IK during iddat days https://t.co/UdVX3TiV3A
— Noor Inam (@noorinam1) September 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/smasood801/status/1045365593874952192
But of course, there were some that considered it a waste of precious time.
Turned on Bushra Bibi’s interview & turned it off after two minutes when she said “Pakistan deen e Muhammad se dhoor hota ja raha hai” lol.
The interview was lacking in insight and doesn’t really have any importance but some of you insist on simply being offended by her attire.
— wajib ul cuddle (@UpUpandAwai) September 27, 2018
Bushra Bibi is NOT an image of Islam, nor Sufism. She has her whole version of superstitious mentality; manifested through IK’s bare-foot, rings, aqeedet menda bows, daughter walking by foot out of city etc.
Her thought-through interview doesn’t erase that.— Hyra (@hyraness) September 27, 2018
If you are a stickler for sharia then there’s no room for an unnecessary interview with a na-mehram, with or without niqab. You can’t have your religious cake and eat it too
— Mohammad Taqi (@mazdaki) September 27, 2018
Others even had the audacity to compare her to Imran Khan’s previous wife, Reham.
I have no problem or interest in Bushra bibi ‘s interview. Even Michelle Obama used to. But she was active in community, used to be be involved in social work.
Yeh Mohtarma tu apni Nawazun ka dikhawa ker rahi hain.
So shallow like Reham Khan .
— A. (@Alevee12) September 27, 2018
Bushra bibi sounds an awful lot like Reham Khan in her praises for Imran Khan: Selfless, epitome of Simplicity, hes a Leader not a politician. Maybe it's true after all.
— Meher Bokhari (@meherbokhari) September 27, 2018
Even some conspiracy theories arose.
How do you know that human being at right is a woman, let alone Bushra Bibi? https://t.co/i3U80ou6ev
— Alfons López Tena #FBPE (@alfonslopeztena) September 27, 2018
All in all, the interview was conducted in a rather impressive manner. Let’s just hope some good comes out of it.
Let us know what you all thought in the comments section below.
