Pakistan army hits back at imran khan’s remarks on field marshal asim munir: a battle of minds and authority

DCM Editorial Summary: This story has been independently rewritten and summarised for DCM readers to highlight key developments relevant to the region. Original reporting by News 18, click this post to read the original full article.

The Pakistani Army has labeled former Prime Minister Imran Khan as “mentally ill” following his remarks about Field Marshal Asim Munir, whom Khan described as “mentally unstable.” In a bid to counter Khan’s “narrative,” which the army considers a “national security threat,” they accused him of utilizing family visits and social media to create division. Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry characterized Khan as a “narcissist” whose political ambitions have become extreme, stating, “If I am not in power, nothing else should exist.”

Chaudhry claimed that Khan’s ego and desires have inflated to the point where he believes that without him, nothing should thrive. He criticized Khan for meeting with individuals who he suggested were spreading negativity about the army, particularly after Khan’s sister visited him in prison and reported his anger towards Munir. The spokesperson emphasized that the armed forces respect Pakistan’s political leadership but must remain separate from political matters.

He also pointed fingers at Indian and Afghan media for amplifying Khan’s negative narrative, asserting that any attacks against the army would be met with a response. Chaudhry dismissed Khan’s logic regarding dialogue with Afghan militants, suggesting that if India had attacked, Khan would have sought negotiations instead of standing firm.

These comments followed Khan’s recent post on X, where he accused Munir of moral failure leading to the breakdown of constitutional order in Pakistan. Khan, who has been imprisoned since 2023 due to a corruption conviction, continues to face multiple charges and claims that his imprisonment is politically motivated. His party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), alleges that the upcoming parliamentary elections are rigged in favor of the current Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif.

This press conference coincided with the promotion of Field Marshal Munir as the chief of defense forces, a new role aimed at enhancing coordination among the military branches.