Chaudhry’s comments followed the inauguration of the newly established Chief of Defence Forces Headquarters. Addressing reporters, he said Khan imprisoned since August 2023 had become a “direct threat to national security,” accusing him of repeatedly inciting discord between the public and the military.
Displaying a recent social media post by Khan, Chaudhry said the former premier was “speaking the language of traitors” and attempting to “manufacture narratives” aimed at destabilising institutions. “One individual believes that if he is not in power, nothing should function. Such thinking puts personal ego above the Constitution,” he said.
The army spokesperson urged political parties to refrain from dragging the military into political battles, asserting that the armed forces would not allow any attempts to create friction between soldiers and citizens. He added that institutional boundaries must be respected “for the state to function effectively.”
Chaudhry also questioned the legal basis for Khan’s meetings inside jail, implying that the interactions were being used to plot against the state. “Under which law is a prisoner allowed to meet people and craft an anti-state narrative?” he asked, alleging that every such meeting resulted in efforts to malign the military.
Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has remained in custody on multiple charges ranging from corruption to violating state secrets. His party has repeatedly dismissed the cases as politically motivated.
The army’s sharp escalation in rhetoric signals deepening tensions between the military establishment and the former premier, who continues to exert considerable political influence despite his imprisonment.
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