Imran Khan Accuses Army Chief Asim Munir of Tyrannical Rule Amid Death Rumors

Khan emphasized the harsh treatment of women during General Asim Munir's leadership period.

New Delhi:

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan recently denounced Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, describing him as a "tyrannical dictator" and characterizing his leadership as "unprecedentedly oppressive" in statements made earlier this month.

Khan asserted that constitutional rule had been supplanted by what he referred to as "rule of Asim Law."

Following a meeting with his sister at Adiala Jail, Khan shared a comprehensive social media post stating, "There is no rule of the Constitution or the law in our country at this time. Instead, it is under the rule of Asim Law. Asim Munir is the most tyrannical dictator in history and is mentally unstable. The level of oppression during his tenure is unparalleled."

Recently, unverified reports suggesting the former Pakistani PM's death in custody have emerged. His sisters have claimed they were physically attacked when attempting to visit their brother, noting they haven't seen Khan for three weeks.

During his final recorded meeting, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) founder alleged that Munir's administration showed "no regard for women, nor any compassion for children and the elderly," accusing him of doing "anything to satisfy his lust for power."

"At this time, the entire country is being run by the orders of one man, Asim Munir, as a result of which morality has been completely buried," Khan declared in his last public statement.

He referenced several incidents, including those of May 9, 2023, November 26, 2024, and events in Azad Kashmir and Muridke, describing them as extreme examples of power abuse.

Khan highlighted the mistreatment of women under Asim Munir's authority, saying, "Dr Yasmin Rashid, an elderly cancer survivor, has been imprisoned merely for refusing to abandon Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Bushra Begum, too, has been kept in solitary confinement solely to exert pressure on me."

"We prefer death over accepting slavery," Khan stated, claiming that both he and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were enduring severe mistreatment under Munir's direction. "No political leader's family has ever been subjected to such treatment," the 73-year-old remarked.

"I wish to make it absolutely clear once again; no matter what they do, I will neither bow down nor submit to them," Khan emphasized. He further declared that PTI would not engage in discussions with what he termed the "Form-47 government" or the establishment, characterizing the government as a puppet entirely controlled by Asim Munir.

"Negotiations are futile also because every time we have engaged in dialogue, the oppression against us has only intensified. All power rests in the hands of one man at this time: Asim Munir, who can go to any extent to extend his hold in power," he maintained. Khan added that future negotiation decisions would be managed by PTI allies in Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan, including Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.

In directives to party members, Khan instructed PTI officials, parliamentarians, the Insaf Lawyers Forum, and senior attorneys to petition High Courts and remain until hearing dates were established.

He criticized the intentional postponements in hearings for cases involving himself and his wife Bushra Begum. The hearing "has not been scheduled, to ensure that we remain in prison," he stated, adding, "Everyone knows there is no substance in these cases and they will eventually collapse; therefore, hearings are intentionally being withheld."

Khan expressed complete confidence in senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja, who would handle all party-related instructions and meeting arrangements.

Addressing Pakistan's citizens, he said, "Countries that embrace the clear and fearless principle of 'freedom or death' cannot be stopped from achieving independence and progress. Only such principled nations ultimately prevail with honour."

Earlier in 2024, Khan accused Asim Munir of employing every strategy to eliminate his party's influence in Pakistan's political landscape.

"The military establishment has done all they could against me. All that is left for them is to murder me. I have stated publicly that if anything happens to me or my wife, General Asim Munir will be responsible," he wrote in a May 2, 2024, op-ed for The Telegraph, a British newspaper.

Khan has remained imprisoned since August 2023 following convictions in multiple cases, including leaking state secrets, abetting violence, and the Toshakhana case, among others. In January 2025, Khan received a 14-year prison sentence for land corruption, while his wife was given a seven-year jail term in the same case.