Following a strong rebuke from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) regarding Imran Khan’s accusations against a senior military official, PTI Secretary General Asad Umar has publicly agreed with the military’s stance. The ISPR, in a statement, criticized Khan for levelling “irresponsible and baseless allegations” without evidence and suggested he pursue legal channels.
Umar echoed this sentiment in a Twitter statement, stating he “totally” agreed that legal recourse was the appropriate way to address the situation. He pointed out that Khan had already attempted legal action by filing a First Information Report (FIR) and approaching the Supreme Court regarding the officer in question.
Khan, the former Prime Minister who was removed from office last year, has alleged that the senior military officer, along with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, were involved in the assassination attempt on his life last November. These allegations have been denied by all parties involved, and Khan has yet to provide evidence to support his claims.
The ISPR’s statement also served as a warning to Khan, urging him to cease making false allegations and to pursue legal avenues instead. The military spokesperson emphasized that the institution reserves the right to take legal action against such “patently false and malafide statements and propaganda.” Umar characterized the institution supporting legal action as “a very positive step forward.”
Prior to the ISPR statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Khan’s accusations. In response, Khan questioned whether military officers were above the law, asking if he, as a citizen who has survived two assassination attempts, had the right to identify those he believed were responsible and why his right to register an FIR was allegedly denied. He further questioned if blaming an individual for a crime was equivalent to maligning the entire institution. Khan also raised questions about the alleged sabotage of the Wazirabad Joint Investigation Team (JIT) during the PTI’s time in power in Punjab. He suggested that truthful answers to his questions would point to a powerful individual and their accomplices being above the law, effectively creating a “law of the jungle” in Pakistan.
