In recent days, Pakistan’s military has made strong statements against former Prime Minister Imran Khan. On December 5, 2025, the army’s spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, called Khan’s ideas a “threat to national security.” He also said Khan is “mentally ill” and a “narcissist.” This has led to fears among Khan’s supporters that the army might harm him or even kill him. But is this true? This article looks at the facts, both sides of the story, and what it means for Pakistan. We will use simple words to explain everything.
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Background on Imran Khan and the Army
Imran Khan was Pakistan’s Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022. He is a famous cricket player who started the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Many people, especially young ones, like him because he talks about fighting corruption and making Pakistan stronger. In 2022, he lost power in a no-confidence vote. Khan says the army and the US helped remove him. Since then, he has been in jail on charges like corruption and leaking secrets. He calls these cases fake and made up by his enemies.
The Pakistan Army has a big role in the country’s politics. It has ruled directly many times through coups. Now, it often works behind the scenes. Khan was once close to the army, but now they are enemies. His party won many seats in the 2024 elections, but he says the vote was stolen. This has caused big protests and fights.
The Army’s Recent Statements
On December 5, 2025, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry held a long press conference in Rawalpindi. He said Khan’s words are hurting Pakistan’s security. Here are the main points:
- Anti-Army Talk: Khan blames the army for his problems. The spokesperson said this creates hate between the people and the soldiers. It could make the army weaker against enemies like terrorists or India.
- Mental Health Claims: He called Khan “mentally ill” and said he puts his ego first, not the country. Khan thinks, “If not me, then nothing for Pakistan.”
- Links to Enemies: The army says Khan works with outside groups, like Indian media or Afghan networks, to spread bad stories about Pakistan. They also say he opposes army actions against terrorists, like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
- Calls for Trouble: Khan is accused of telling people to protest, stop sending money home (remittances), and attack army leaders. This could hurt the economy and cause chaos.
- Security Threat Label: The spokesperson said Khan’s ideas are a “creeping national security threat.” He compared Khan to past leaders who caused splits, like Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bangladesh. He warned that free speech has limits if it harms the state.
The army says it will fight back hard if needed. They also said Khan’s party runs fake social media campaigns to attack them.
Imran Khan and PTI’s Side
Khan and his party say these words are just to scare people and hide the army’s mistakes. From jail, Khan uses social media (through helpers) to fight back. PTI leaders like Gohar Ali Khan say the army is attacking democracy.
- Popular Support: PTI says Khan has the people’s vote. In polls, over 60% want him free. Calling him a threat means calling millions of Pakistanis threats too.
- Army as the Real Threat: Many supporters say the army is the problem. It controls too much, like businesses and politics. They break the law by interfering in elections and jailing opponents.
- No Proof of Wrongdoing: PTI says there is no evidence Khan helps terrorists or enemies. He wants peace and strong borders, but without army control over everything.
- Fears for Khan’s Life: Some posts on X say the “security threat” label could lead to a military trial, death sentence, or even killing him in jail. They point to past cases, like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was hanged after army rule. Supporters worry the army is planning something bad.
PTI also attacked the spokesperson’s family, saying his father was once linked to terrorism by the UN. But the army calls this fake news.
Public Reactions
On social media like X, opinions are split:
- Pro-Khan Views: Many call the army “fascist” and say it is the real security threat. They use hashtags like #ReleaseImranKhan and #PakistanLovesImranKhan. Some say the army wants to kill Khan to end his popularity.
- Pro-Army Views: Others agree with the military. They say Khan is causing division and helping enemies. Government leaders like Azam Nazeer Tarar also call Khan a threat.
International media, like from India and the Arab world, report on this as a sign of deep problems in Pakistan.
Analysis: Is the Army Planning to Kill Khan?
The claim that the army “wants to kill” Khan is strong but not proven. Here is a fair look:
- Historical Patterns: Pakistan has a dark history. Leaders like Bhutto were called threats and then executed. Nawaz Sharif and others were jailed or exiled. The army has used “security” reasons to remove rivals. This makes people worry.
- Current Risks: Calling Khan a “threat” could mean military courts, where trials are secret and punishments harsh. Pakistan has the death penalty for treason. Supporters fear poison or an “accident” in jail, like past cases of journalists or activists.
- No Direct Proof: The press conference did not say anything about killing. It focused on words and ideas. The army says it wants to protect the country, not harm people. But the strong language, like “bare-knuckle response,” scares many.
- Why Now?: Pakistan faces big problems: high prices, terrorism, and bad economy. The army might want to blame Khan to distract people. Khan’s popularity is still high, even in jail. Banning PTI or hurting him could make things worse, causing more protests.
In simple terms, the label might be a way to justify tough actions, but killing would cause huge anger inside and outside Pakistan. It could split the country more.
Implications for Pakistan
This fight hurts everyone:
- Security: If people hate the army, it could help terrorists. Attacks in areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are rising.
- Economy: Protests and boycotts make things unstable. Pakistan needs help from the IMF and friends like China.
- Democracy: If the army wins, elections might not be fair. This could make young people lose hope.
- Global View: The world watches. Groups like the UN or US might speak up if Khan is harmed. But Pakistan’s army is strong, and change is hard.
To fix this, both sides need talks. Maybe free Khan and hold fair elections.
Conclusion
The Pakistan Army’s words against Imran Khan are serious. They call him a security threat, but supporters see it as a plan to silence or harm him. There is no clear proof of a kill plot, but history and fears make it possible. Pakistan needs peace between leaders and the army. Without it, the country suffers. The people want leaders who work for them, not fight each other.
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