Islamabad: In her first media talk after her husband’s oath-taking ceremony, Bushra Bibi, the wife of new Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, described her feelings at becoming the first lady of Pakistan as more of an overwhelming sense of responsibility than joy or excitement.
“I am more scared than thrilled or overjoyed,” she said while talking to media after the ceremony.
When asked if she wanted to give a message to the nation, she said coming to power was temporary, and the real issue was how one would serve the nation.
She said Imran Khan would work to eliminate corruption and poverty in the country and his priority was to invest in and strengthen the education and health sectors.
Meanwhile, her dressing at the swearing-in ceremony was one of the most discussed topics on Pakistani social media.
With prayer beads in hand, Bibi came wearing a white dress from head to foot and arrived only ten minutes before the actual oath-taking started.
The fact that she was also wearing a silk veil made her stand out from the entire gathering.
Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa saluted her after the ceremony and his wife greeted her.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, as soon as the oath-taking ceremony concluded, walked towards her and briefly talked to her.
Then the guests started congratulating her on her husband’s becoming prime minister of Pakistan.
Bibi’s dress and particularly her veiled appearance has attracted mixed reaction from social media users as critics said her wearing the veil was akin to denying the Pakistani public the right to know who their first lady is.
A self-proclaimed PTI supporter, Faiza Yasir, criticised Bibi’s attending the ceremony in veil and tweeted as, “Bushra Bibi has [arrived]. A little disappointed. But I think this is how she wants to be. Still wonder why didn’t the sons come? Regardless of anything, I am very excited to see my leader swear in.”
Across the border, an Indian social media user, Nishith wrote, “Don’t people of Pakistan deserve to know how their First Lady looks like?”
Indian journalist and author Seema Goswami tweeted, “Imran Khan’s wife number three. It’s like we’ve gone back to the Middle Ages!”
However, many voices defended her right to wear the veil and asked the critics to mind their own business.
Amna, a social media user said in her tweet, “Can people just let women live? Kam kapray pehnay tab masla, bushra bibi kay attire say bhi masla. Itni obsession kya hai aurat kay kapron say sab ko? Why do any of you think a woman’s clothing is EVER acceptable for you to take a jab at?”
