Imran Khan's alleged letter to army chief refuted by security sources

Sources familiar with the matter said the news regarding Khan's letter reached the military leadership through media.

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Contrary to the claims made by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), security sources have revealed that no letter from former prime minister Imran Khan was received by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

Sources familiar with the matter stated that the news regarding Khan’s letter reached the military leadership through the media, not through any formal communication.

The controversy began when PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, informed the media that Khan had written a letter to the army chief, urging him to "reevaluate policy."

Speaking outside Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, Chaudhry elaborated that the former premier, in his capacity as PTI supremo and ex-prime minister, had sent a six-point letter to General Munir.

He shared that in the letter, Khan expressed solidarity with the military in its fight against terrorism, recognising the sacrifices of soldiers. He also called for national unity and support for the armed forces.

The letter, according to Chaudhry, included several critical points. The first highlighted the issue of "fraudulent elections" and the alleged promotion of money launderers in the current government.

The second point focused on the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which Khan claimed negatively impacted judicial independence and the rule of law. The letter also referenced the Al-Qadir Trust case verdict.

Khan's third point criticised the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), accusing the government of weaponising the law to suppress dissent and restrict social media.

The fourth point addressed allegations of terrorism charges, raids, and the use of force against PTI workers. He also expressed concerns about threats to journalists, which he believed were damaging the military’s reputation.

The fifth point discussed the role of intelligence agencies, while the final point focused on the state of the economy. Khan allegedly blamed the current government for weakening the economy by artificially controlling the rupee’s value, and raised concerns about low investment and internet shutdowns.

Chaudhry further mentioned that Khan had urged the army chief to reconsider certain policies and suggested the formation of a judicial commission to address these issues.

Despite the media buzz around the letter, Barrister Gohar denied any suggestion of a "policy shift" following the letter's alleged delivery. He clarified that Khan had written the letter in his capacity as former prime minister, stressing the importance of re-evaluating the country’s policies.

Khan, according to Gohar, has no intention of instigating chaos, as he considers the Pakistan Army to be an integral part of the nation.

The alleged letter surfaced just weeks after PTI leaders, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Barrister Gohar,  met with the army chief. During this meeting, they discussed Pakistan’s security situation.

Last month, PTI ended talks with the government, which had included demands for the formation of judicial commissions to investigate incidents on May 9, 2023, and November 24-27, 2024, as well as the release of all political prisoners, including Khan.