Imran Khan urges Pakistan army to stay within constitutional limits
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has written a second open letter to Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, accusing the military of political interference and highlighting alleged mistreatment in prison. He urged the army to operate within its constitutional boundaries.
This follows his initial letter on February 3, in which he claimed that a disconnect was growing between the military and the public. He called for a reassessment of policies to address this divide.
However, after the first letter, security sources stated that the military had not received it and dismissed media reports regarding its existence. They asserted that the establishment had no interest in such correspondence.
In his latest letter, shared on his X account on Saturday, Khan criticized the response to his earlier message, calling it “dismissive and irresponsible.” He emphasized that his concerns were solely for the military’s reputation and the risks posed by a widening gap between the armed forces and the people.
Khan asserted that if a public referendum were conducted on the issues he raised, he believed 90% of Pakistanis would support them. His concerns included alleged election rigging, judicial interference through the 26th Constitutional Amendment, suppression of dissent via restrictive laws such as PECA, political instability, and the use of state institutions for political retaliation instead of governance.
He further claimed that these actions were fueling public resentment and deepening the divide between the army and the citizens.
Additionally, Khan accused a military officer at Adiala Jail of orchestrating harassment and rights violations against him. He alleged that court orders were disregarded and that the officer acted as though in control of the facility.
Detailing his alleged mistreatment, Khan claimed he was held in complete isolation for 20 days in a dark cell, deprived of sunlight, and had his electricity cut off for five days. He also stated that his access to exercise equipment, television, newspapers, and books was restricted without justification.
Furthermore, he said he was permitted only three phone calls with his sons over six months, despite court orders allowing more. PTI members traveling long distances were also allegedly denied meetings with him.
Khan also accused authorities of violating legal directives by preventing his wife, Bushra Bibi, from visiting him, claiming she was being kept in solitary confinement.
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