- Khan calls on COAS to “reevaluate policy”, said PTI chairman.
- Imran, as ex-PM and party supremo, written letter to COAS.
- Ousted PM expressed solidarity with army in fight against terrorism.
Contrary to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s claim, security sources on Tuesday revealed that no letter from the incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan was received to Chief of Army Staff General Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
Sources privy to the matter said that the news about Khan’s letter came to the military brass via the media.
A day earlier, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khan’s counsel Faisal Chaudhry told the media that the imprisoned former premier had penned a letter to the army chief, urging him to “reevaluate policy”.
During his interaction with journalists outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, Chaudhry said: “Imran Khan, as a former prime minister and a party supremo, has written a six-point letter to the army chief.”
The 71-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been behind bars since August last year after he was sentenced in multiple cases registered against the former premier since his ouster from power in April 2022.
The ousted premier expressed solidarity with the military in its fight against terrorism, acknowledging the sacrifices made by soldiers, Chaudhry added.
Khan, as per the lawyer, emphasised the need for the entire nation to stand with the armed forces.
According to Chaudhry, the letter’s first point addresses “fraudulent elections” and the alleged promotion of money launderers. The second point discusses the impact of the 26th Constitutional Amendment on judicial independence and the rule of law. Khan also referenced the Al-Qadir Trust case verdict in the letter.
The third point criticises the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), stating that it has been weaponised to suppress dissent and crack down on social media.
The fourth point highlights cases of terrorism charges, raids, and the use of force against PTI workers. Khan also wrote that threats to journalists are damaging the army’s reputation.
The fifth point concerns intelligence agencies’ operations, while the final point focuses on the economy.
Khan claimed the incumbent government weakened the economy by artificially controlling the rupee’s value. He also raised concerns over low investment and internet shutdowns.
Chaudhry added that Khan urged the army chief to reconsider policies and called for the formation of a judicial commission.
Separately, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan rejected notion of a “policy shift” after letter to army chief, saying that Imran wrote the letter in capacity as former prime minister.
In the letter, he said, Imran emphasised the “need to reevaluate policies”.
Quoting the PTI founder, Barrister Gohar said that his party does not want chaos as “Pakistan Army is ours”.
The letter comes weeks after PTI leaders — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan — met the army chief, with the party’s chairman saying that they discussed the overall security situation.
It also holds importance as the former ruling party ended its negotiations with the PML-N-led government last month, in which the PTI had demanded two things — the formation of judicial commissions on events that transpired on May 9, 2023, and November 24-27 as well as the release of “all political prisoners”, including Khan.
