Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Founder Imran Khan has strongly criticized the judiciary, government, and state institutions, claiming that democracy in Pakistan has come to an end.
Speaking to the media in Adiala Jail on Monday, he revealed that he had written two letters to army chief Gen Asim Munir, stating that all democratic avenues have been eliminated.
He condemned the growing restrictions on free speech, mentioning past censorship and the recent implementation of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which has further restricted social media. "Earlier there was censorship, and now PECA has been introduced, blocking social media as well," he remarked.
Taking aim at former chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, the former prime minister accused him of damaging democracy and the rule of law. "Even Justice Munir did not do what Qazi Faez Isa has done," he claimed, further stating that Justice Isa had protected election rigging and ignored human rights applications.
Also Read: Establishment denies receiving any letter from Imran Khan
He dismissed the legitimacy of the current government, labelling the parliament, prime minister, president, and ministers as "fake". He argued that the media was under control and that political protests and rallies were being suppressed.
Expressing doubts over negotiations with the government, he stated, "I had no hope that talks would be successful."
Regarding the February 8 elections, he reiterated that PTI had only demanded judicial commissions for May 9 and November 26, not February 8. He alleged that the authorities had two main objectives: to conceal election rigging and to keep PTI leaders behind bars. "What is the point of talks under such circumstances?" he questioned, adding that he had conveyed this stance to his team.
Despite his grievances, he congratulated PTI workers for holding a rally in Swabi and urged Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi to uphold justice. "The nation is watching you," he stated, calling for support for the rule of law.
Also Read: Imran Khan has urged COAS to review policies to narrow public-army gap: Gohar
Imran Khan concluded by reaffirming his duty to inform the nation, regardless of whether his concerns were acknowledged. "Whether anyone is interested in my letters or not, my job is to speak the truth," he said, emphasising that the army belongs to the entire nation, not just any one group.
On Feb 3, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan had confirmed that the party’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, wrote 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.
However, the next day, 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.
Als Read: Imran writes 2nd letter to army chief, raises concerns about cases
According to security officials, there was no truth to claims circulating in the media that Imran Khan wrote a letter addressed to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) 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 remains 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 has consistently maintained its position that if the PTI wants to discuss anything, it should do it with politicians and not through the military.
Later, on Feb 8, Imran Khan penned a second letter to army chief General Asim Munir, expressing grievances regarding his incarceration conditions and the country’s political and economic instability.
