Unprecedented Escalation: Pakistan Army Brands Imran Khan a ‘National Security Threat’
ISPR Launches Scathing Attack on Former PM, Calling Him ‘Mentally Sick’ and Narcissist While Defending Chief of Defence Forces Asim Munir
Pakistan Army Calls Imran Khan’s Narrative a National Security Threat
Pakistan’s political tensions spiked after the Director-General of ISPR, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, delivered an unusually blunt media briefing declaring that the anti-establishment narrative pushed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan now poses a national security threat.
Calling Khan “delusional,” “narcissistic,” and “mentally sick,” the DG ISPR said the former leader’s actions were no longer political criticism but a deliberate attempt to weaken the armed forces. He warned that the military would “fight bare-knuckle” against anyone trying to create a divide between the people and the army, describing the threat as stemming from “a delusional mindset that believes ego is bigger than the State of Pakistan.”
Clash of Power: Imran Khan vs. Asim Munir
The military’s sharp reaction came after Imran Khan, speaking through a message conveyed after a family visit, accused Army Chief and newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Asim Munir of being “mentally unstable” and responsible for “disastrous” policies.
Despite being imprisoned since August 2023, Khan remains Pakistan’s most popular political figure. His widespread support continues to challenge Munir’s consolidated authority. The situation has evolved into a direct contest between Munir’s institutional power and Khan’s public influence, exposing the deep political divide within the country.
Accusations of External Backing
Lt Gen Chaudhry also alleged that Khan and the PTI were “in deep collusion with external actors,” pointing to Indian media as the “biggest promoter” of the party’s anti-army rhetoric. He argued that this narrative questions the very need for Pakistan’s armed forces and risks creating space for “someone else’s army.”
By framing the issue as a national security matter rather than political dissent, the military appears to be signalling that tougher legal or administrative actions against Khan and his party may follow.
A Critical Crossroads for Pakistan
The confrontation between Asim Munir’s command and Imran Khan’s mass popularity has now reached a critical stage. With both sides escalating their rhetoric, Pakistan faces a volatile moment that could shape its political landscape for years to come.