RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s military on Friday issued a stern warning to PTI founder Imran Khan, with Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry asserting that the former prime minister’s “anti-army rhetoric” has gone beyond politics and now constitutes a “national security threat.”
Speaking at a press conference in Rawalpindi, Lt Gen Chaudhry described a “creeping national security threat” emerging from what he called the “delusional mindset” of a political figure whose personal ambitions outweigh the interests of the state. He pointedly referred to Imran, imprisoned since 2023, saying, “This threat emanates from a delusional person captive to his own ego, believing his wishes are bigger than the state of Pakistan.” While emphasizing that the military does not wish to engage in politics, he said it had become necessary to respond due to the gravity of the narrative being spread, calling it “no longer politics, but a matter of national security.”
Lt Gen Chaudhry accused Imran of operating in “deep collusion with external actors,” alleging that his statements were amplified by hostile foreign media, accounts linked to India’s RAW, and Afghanistan-based social media networks. He questioned who could benefit from such narratives, asserting, “Someone sitting in Delhi… This agenda cannot come from a patriotic Pakistani,” and played video clips of Imran’s alleged anti-army tweets to highlight how the messaging was “weaponized abroad” to damage Pakistan’s security institutions. Rejecting claims of political bias, the DG ISPR stressed that the armed forces represent all communities and operate solely for the state’s interests, saying, “We are not the army of any political party, any language, any sect, or any class. We fight and die for Pakistan, not for any political agenda.” He warned that any attacks on the military for personal ego would be met with force: “If someone attacks the armed forces and its leadership, we will fight back bare-knuckle.”
The DG ISPR also criticized PTI’s demand for meetings with Imran in prison, arguing such engagements were being used to spread anti-state narratives, and questioned, “Under which law or constitutional provision can a convict be allowed to spin a narrative against the state and its armed forces?” Citing Articles 17 and 19 of the Constitution, he noted that freedom of expression and political rights are subject to “reasonable restrictions” to safeguard national security. He further accused Imran of harming Pakistan’s economy by encouraging overseas Pakistanis to halt remittances, urging the IMF not to sign an agreement with Pakistan, promoting civil disobedience, and even advising non-payment of electricity bills, calling these actions attempts to create anarchy and push the state toward default. The DG ISPR also alleged that Imran incited violence against the army’s leadership during operations against militants.
Highlighting the role of foreign actors, Lt Gen Chaudhry said multiple unnamed social media accounts abroad were amplifying Imran’s posts within minutes, with Indian media broadcasting them extensively. He also accused Afghanistan-based networks of supporting these narratives, calling them “facilitators of the khawarij.” Emphasizing the army’s unique role, he reminded the public that Pakistan cannot afford internal divisions, saying, “No one can be allowed to create fissures between the people and their army. This is the only army you have. If it isn’t yours, then it will be the enemy’s.” He concluded by affirming the army’s role as the nation’s shield against threats from India, militant groups in Afghanistan, and extremist ideologies.