Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan on Friday conveyed a “request” to Army chief Gen. Asim Munir to “become neutral,” echoing similar remarks voiced by Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan a day earlier.
The messaging from the PTI emerging from these two statements stands in stark contrast to the party, and Khan’s, recent statements in which they had accused the Army of enforcing an “undeclared” martial law in the country. Khan had also, on multiple occasions, claimed that he held the Army chief responsible if anything were to happen to either him or his wife Bushra Bibi in prison. The party has also posted material against the Army chief on its official website and social media accounts, with members of its digital media cell currently undergoing interrogation for allegedly propagating anti-Pakistan content on social media.
In his statement, Ayub had told media that Khan had alleged the PPP and PMLN were trying to force a clash between the PTI and the Army. Echoing these remarks, Aleema said she was “requesting” the Army chief, on behalf of her brother, to “become neutral”—despite Khan repeatedly declaring after his ouster as prime minister that “Islam does not permit people to be neutral.” She claimed Khan had said the PMLN and PPP had lost the “moral high ground” and were attempting to pit the PTI and Army against each other.
Quoting Khan, she said authorities should use CCTV footage to identity and prosecute all those responsible for the May 9, 2023 riots and should release any innocents languishing in jails. She maintained that Khan had always called for peaceful protests and the PTI had not indulged in any unrest, as seen on May 9.
She claimed Khan had said the Army was the “backbone” of Pakistan and the PTI did not wish for the public and the institution to clash. Quoting him further, she said he had stressed on rule of law to ensure the country moved forward.
The PTI’s recent overtures to the military top brass have triggered social media rumors of an impending “deal” between the two. However, PTI leaders maintain no such deal is in the offing, adding they expect the incumbent government to collapse before the end of the year to make way for fresh elections.