Rawalpindi, December 5, 2025: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday launched one of the strongest public rebukes yet against incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan, accusing him of running an “anti-army narrative” that has evolved from political rhetoric into a “national security threat”.
Addressing a wide-ranging press conference at the ISPR headquarters in Rawalpindi, Lt Gen Chaudhry said a “creeping national security threat” had compelled the military to respond directly to what he called an orchestrated campaign aimed at creating a divide between the people and the armed forces.
“This threat emanates from a delusional mindset of a delusional person who has become captive to his own ego,” he said, in an apparent reference to Imran Khan. “The narrative he is pushing is no longer about politics. it has become a matter of national security.”
‘Foreign collusion fueling anti-army campaign’
The military spokesperson claimed that Imran’s rhetoric was being amplified by external actors, particularly Indian media, Afghan social media networks and anonymous accounts allegedly operating from abroad.
“Why is Indian media celebrating and spending money to spread this narrative? Because he is speaking against the Pakistan Army and its leadership,” he said. “Afghan social media, being facilitators of the khawarij, is also involved.”
He said several troll accounts that helped viral Imran’s posts were operating overseas, while the PTI “fully owns the narrative but claims not to know where these accounts are run from”.
‘Politics must stay away from the army’
Emphasising that the armed forces represent no political party or ethnic group, Lt Gen Chaudhry said the institution draws its strength from ordinary Pakistanis and sacrifices daily for national security.
“We respect all political parties, but please keep your politics away from the armed forces of Pakistan,” he stressed. “If someone attacks the army or its leadership for personal ego or narcissism, then we will fight bare-knuckled.”
He said constitutional freedoms under Articles 17 and 19 do not permit campaigns that threaten the security or integrity of the state.
Allegations of harmful actions
The DG ISPR accused Imran of repeatedly taking steps that could damage the state, including urging civil disobedience, discouraging payment of utility bills, allegedly asking overseas supporters to halt remittances, and writing to the IMF urging the lender not to engage with Pakistan.
He also criticised the PTI founder for purportedly directing followers to target military leadership. “Who benefits from such a narrative? This agenda can only come from someone in Delhi,” he said.
Criticism of PTI’s security policy and KP governance
Lt Gen Chaudhry also lashed out at the PTI-led government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, accusing it of appeasement towards militant groups and deflecting attention from governance failures by blaming the military for security challenges.
“Is the state’s security sublet to terrorists? If appeasement worked, Gaza and Libya wouldn’t be where they are today,” he said, adding that calls for talks with militants were part of a “terror-crime nexus”.
He also questioned why PTI leaders frequently sought meetings with Imran Khan in jail to “build a narrative against the state and the army”.
‘Obsession with the army’ and CDF controversies
Responding to persistent political debate surrounding the notification of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and speculation about governor’s rule in KP, the DG ISPR said the military had no role in such decisions.
“The state is above the army. These are political matters,” he said, criticising PTI leaders for what he called an “obsession” with the military instead of focusing on governance and counterterrorism performance in KP.
CDF Headquarters begins operations
Lt Gen Chaudhry also announced that the newly created Chief of Defence Forces Headquarters formally began operations on Friday. Calling it a “monumental step”, he said the joint command structure was essential for modern, multidomain warfare and mandated by Parliament.
“Over 70 countries have similar synergetic headquarters,” he said, adding that it would enhance coordination across land, air, naval, cyber, space and intelligence domains.
‘No one’s politics above the state’
Wrapping up the press conference, the DG ISPR said the military would continue to defend the country against internal and external threats.
“The Pakistan Army is standing and will keep standing. Anyone who thinks their personal politics is bigger than the country’s security is mistaken,” he said. “This business of lies and deception cannot continue.”
