Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan has penned a second letter to army chief General Asim Munir, expressing grievances regarding his incarceration conditions and the country’s political and economic instability.
The former prime minister has stated in the letter that he wrote it with "good intentions for the betterment of the country", highlighting the alleged injustices he has faced since his imprisonment.
In the letter, the PTI founder alleged that he was kept on death row, deprived of exercise equipment, television, and even newspapers. Additionally, he claimed that he was subjected to a 40-hour lockup and faced severe restrictions in meeting his family and legal team.
Also Read: Imran Khan has urged COAS to review policies to narrow public-army gap: Gohar
"My sons were only allowed to speak to me three times in the last six months, and only a few individuals were permitted to visit me," he wrote. He further alleged that, despite clear court orders, his wife was not allowed to meet him.
Cases under pressure
The PTI founder also accused authorities of influencing judicial proceedings, claiming that decisions in all of his cases were being made under pressure. He lamented the continued arrest of PTI workers and supporters, calling it a move to suppress political opposition.
Economic concerns
Linking Pakistan's economic troubles to political uncertainty, Imran Khan asserted that the country’s economic crisis has worsened due to ongoing political instability. He emphasized the need for dialogue and resolution to ensure national progress.
On Feb 3, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan confirmed that the party’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, had written an open letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir, expressing concerns over the growing divide between the military and the people of Pakistan.
Speaking to the media outside Adiala Jail, Gohar had emphasized that the letter should not be seen as a shift in the PTI’s policy but as a reflection of the founder’s role as a former prime minister.
Also Read: Establishment denies receiving any letter from Imran Khan
According to the PTI chairman, the letter highlighted several reasons for the allegedly widening gap between the army and the public, including fraudulent elections and the 26th Constitutional Amendment. The PTI founder had urged the army chief to review existing policies to prevent further alienation of the public from the armed forces, he claimed.
“The PTI founder says the gap between the army and the people should not widen. The burden of political and constitutional crises is unfairly falling on the army,” Barrister Gohar had stated. He added that the letter acknowledged the sacrifices made by the armed forces but stresses the need for their focus to remain on national security rather than political matters.
The PTI founder had made it clear in the letter that the PTI did not seek chaos and regarded the army as an integral institution of the country, he remarked.
Moreover, Imran Khan's sister, Aleema Khan, also echoed similar sentiments. "Imran Khan wrote to the army chief that soldiers are being martyred, but all the emphasis is on eliminating the PTI," she had claimed, adding that the former PM had suggested paying attention to securing the borders.
Earlier, PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry had confirmed that the former premier had written a letter to the army chief based on six points, addressing critical national issues, including the security situation and political challenges.
Also Read: Imran Khan has written letter to army chief: Faisal
Speaking informally to the media outside Adiala Jail, Chaudhry had stated that the letter was sent in the capacity of the PTI founder being the leader of the "country’s largest political party" and a former PM.
According to Chaudhry, the letter presented reports on the martyrdom of army personnel due to rising terrorism and emphasized that the army could only succeed in the fight against terrorism when it has the full support of the nation.
The letter outlines six key points, including references to:
- Fraudulent elections in the country’s history
- The 26th Constitutional Amendment
- The controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which the PTI claims is being used to stifle dissent
- Alleged instances of state terrorism against PTI members
- The constitutional responsibilities of intelligence agencies
- The country’s worsening economic situation
However, on Feb 4, security sources categorically denied receiving any letter from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan, dismissing recent media reports as baseless.
According to security officials, there was no truth to claims circulating in the media that Imran Khan wrote a letter addressed to army chief General Asim Munir. They further clarified that no such letter had been received, nor was the establishment interested in reading it.
“The PTI has attempted to stage another failed drama in the name of writing a letter,” security sources stated, emphasizing that the establishment remained uninterested in such tactics. They reiterated that even if a letter were sent, it would not be entertained.
The officials also highlighted that the establishment had consistently maintained its position that if the PTI wanted to discuss anything, it should do it with politicians and not through the military.
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