Military Issues Its Sharpest Criticism Yet
Pakistan’s military leadership delivered its toughest criticism of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. During a high-profile press briefing, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described the PTI founder as a mental patient. He said Khan builds narratives that stand above the constitution, the state, and national security priorities.
While stressing that the armed forces respect Pakistan’s political leadership, General Sharif warned that national institutions cannot become tools in political disputes. He noted that the military will push back against efforts to create rifts or weaken public trust.
Claims of an Anti-State Narrative
According to the military spokesperson, Imran Khan spreads an anti-state message during his prison interactions. General Sharif argued that the former premier views himself as the sole source of truth. He claimed that Khan sidelines constitutional limits and places personal ambition above national responsibility. This behaviour, he added, reflects a mental illness.
The DG ISPR said such thinking threatens unity and the country’s defence posture. He also alleged that Khan calls every military officer who disagrees with him a traitor, creating an atmosphere of suspicion and division.
Revisiting the 9 May Attacks
The briefing once again highlighted the 9 May 2023 unrest, a day the DG ISPR described as a dark chapter. Violent mobs targeted several military installations, including the Army’s General Headquarters. The strikes, he said, damaged national morale and exposed the depth of political polarization.
Courts continue to handle cases linked to the violence. Many political observers argue that the events widened the gulf between the PTI and the national security establishment.
Concerns Over Security Proposals
General Sharif accused Imran Khan of supporting ideas that conflicted with Pakistan’s strategic interests. In his view, Khan would have begged for talks if India had launched an attack. The spokesperson also recalled proposals to open offices for unspecified foreigners in Peshawar. He described these suggestions as alarming, saying they showed a weak grasp of security demands.
These claims add to the long list of disagreements that surfaced between the PTI leadership and the military long before Khan’s ouster in 2022.
Alleged Links to a Crime Network
A more serious allegation came when the DG ISPR spoke about a terror-crime nexus. He said a network around Imran Khan connects to narcotics, extortion, ransom kidnappings, and several other crimes. Although he shared no detailed evidence, he insisted that state intelligence backs these assessments.
Analysts view these statements as another escalation in the confrontation between the PTI and Pakistan’s power structure.
The State Stands Above Every Individual
In closing remarks, General Sharif said the state remains larger than any person or political party. The military, he added, stays committed to national security, the rule of law, and public safety. He pledged that the armed forces will challenge narratives designed to weaken institutions or encourage unrest.
Imran Khan continues to face multiple convictions and denies all charges. He argues that powerful actors aim to silence him and remove him from national politics. PTI leaders call the military’s accusations a form of political pressure.
Pakistan still struggles with economic strain, rising political tension, and questions about civil-military relations. As the standoff drags on, the country’s path toward stability remains unclear.
