Imran Khan's Fierce Criticism of Pakistan Army Chief: Accusations of Tyranny and Mental Instability

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched a scathing attack on Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir from his prison cell, describing him as "the most oppressive dictator in Pakistan's history" and "a mentally unstable man."

The 73-year-old former cricket star, incarcerated since August 2023 on multiple charges, claimed that Munir's governance is based purely on tyranny. A statement released on Khan's official X account Tuesday stated, "The extent of tyranny under his rule is unprecedented. Munir, in his lust for power, is capable of doing anything."

Khan specifically condemned what he called "the blind use of power" during incidents on May 9, November 26, and in Muridke, where he alleged party workers died from firing by police and security forces. "The indiscriminate firing on unarmed civilians is something no civilised society could ever even contemplate. No other era has witnessed such brutalities against women as this one," the former premier declared.

The founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also claimed authorities are subjecting his wife, Bushra Bibi, to psychological torture through isolation. "We prefer death over slavery. Asim Munir is inflicting every possible form of injustice upon me and my wife. No political leader's family has ever faced such cruelty. I want to make it absolutely clear once again – no matter what he does, I will neither bow down nor submit to him," Khan asserted.

Firmly rejecting any possibility of reconciliation, Khan stated his party would refuse dialogue with both the "Form-47 government" headed by Shehbaz Sharif and the military establishment. "Negotiating with a puppet government is meaningless when its Prime Minister operates under a policy of 'I will ask before I answer.' Talks are futile also because every time we attempted dialogue, repression only intensified. All power currently lies with one individual - Asim Munir - who will go to any extent to secure his seat," he explained.

Khan indicated that any decisions regarding potential talks would ultimately be made by his Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aeen Pakistan (Movement for the Protection of the Constitution) partners, Mahmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas. He further alleged deliberate delays in legal proceedings against him, stating, "Everyone knows these cases are baseless and will eventually collapse, which is why they are being withheld from hearing."