The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday rejected a series of allegations levelled against its founder, Imran Khan, following a contentious press briefing by the military’s spokesperson and subsequent criticism from multiple political leaders.
The controversy arose after DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry described Imran as a “narcissist” and a “mental patient,” accusing him of encouraging a narrative that foreign media outlets, particularly in India, amplified to sow discord between the Pakistani military and the public. The PTI denounced the briefing as “deeply disappointing” and argued that such language from a senior military official was inappropriate.
PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, said the party had hoped that political tensions would cool following recent constitutional amendments but described the ISPR’s remarks as a setback. He called for “ego to be set aside” and urged all institutions to work toward easing the current environment.
PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja also rejected claims that Imran was a national security threat. He said Imran had provided a unifying narrative in a country with diverse ethnic and sectarian groups and cautioned that efforts to “minus” him could destabilise national unity. Raja argued that multiple narratives existed in Pakistan, and the PTI’s was grounded in “the idea of Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, the party issued a statement asserting Imran’s longstanding commitment to Pakistan’s interests, arguing that he had strengthened national institutions and improved Pakistan’s diplomatic standing, particularly in relation to India. The PTI said the government was conflating dissent with anti-state activity.
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“The Pakistan Army is a professional, disciplined, and patriotic institution that has stood as the shield of this nation, from fighting terrorism to defending territorial sovereignty,” Ahsan Iqbal wrote.https://t.co/OPx19KTJy2
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) December 7, 2025
The PTI also rejected criticism directed at Imran’s family for media appearances abroad, saying such allegations were politically motivated.
As tensions between the PTI and the military continue to intensify, calls for dialogue and restraint have emerged from multiple quarters, though political polarisation shows little sign of easing.
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