Asad Umar, Secretary-General of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), sided with the military on Monday, urging PTI leader Imran Khan to pursue legal channels rather than making “baseless allegations” against a high-ranking military officer.
The statement followed the military’s harsh criticism of the former prime minister for his “irresponsible and fabricated allegations.”
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry criticized Khan for making baseless accusations against a senior military officer without evidence. In response, Umar tweeted his agreement with the ISPR, stating that legal action should be taken to resolve the allegations.
Umar claimed that Khan had already tried to take legal action by filing a first information report (FIR) and seeking help from the Supreme Court against the senior intelligence officer.
Khan, who was removed from office in April of the previous year, accused the senior military officer, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah of orchestrating an assassination attempt on him on November 3, 2022. However, he has not provided any evidence, and all officials have denied the allegations.
Read: Imran Khan Faces Criticism for Accusing Senior Military Officer of Assassination Plot
In a recent statement, the military’s chief spokesperson warned Imran Khan to pursue legal avenues and cease making false accusations. However, the institution reserves the right to take legal action against false and malicious statements and propaganda.
Umar, a former PTI minister, applauded the idea of the institution supporting legal recourse.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Imran Khan’s tirade against the senior military officer before the army’s statement.
In response, Khan questioned whether military officers were above the law. The PTI leader argued that if an individual is accused of a crime, it does not mean the entire institution is being discredited. Khan urged Prime Minister Shehbaz to answer his questions honestly, implying that one powerful individual and his accomplices might be above the law and that Pakistan might be governed by the law of the jungle where might is right.
