Imran Khan Pens Open Letter to Chief of Army Staff, Calls for Military’s Return to Constitutional Role
Islamabad – February 3, 2025: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has written an open letter to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), urging the military to return to its constitutional boundaries and distance itself from political affairs. In his letter, Khan highlighted a growing disconnect between the army and the people, citing several key reasons that he believes are contributing to the widening divide.
Khan emphasized that Pakistan’s soldiers are making sacrifices for the country, and for the war against terrorism to be successful, national unity behind the military is essential. However, he expressed concern over policies that, in his view, have led to a decline in public trust in the institution.
Election Rigging and Political Engineering
One of the primary grievances highlighted in the letter is what Khan described as “historic rigging” in the 2024 general elections. He alleged that pre-poll rigging and political interference by state institutions resulted in the imposition of a government that secured only 17 seats, leading to widespread public outrage.
Judiciary Under Threat
Khan also criticized the 26th Constitutional Amendment, claiming that it was introduced to manipulate the judiciary and assign cases to politically compliant judges. He accused the establishment of attempting to control court verdicts to justify human rights violations and electoral fraud.
Crackdown on Media and Free Speech
The former Prime Minister condemned the enforcement of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PICA), which he believes has been used to stifle freedom of expression. He warned that censorship and internet restrictions have already cost the IT industry billions of dollars and could jeopardize Pakistan’s GSP Plus status.
State Crackdown on PTI
Khan accused the authorities of conducting over 100,000 raids against PTI leaders and workers, leading to the arrest and harassment of over 20,000 individuals. He labeled the ongoing crackdown as “state terrorism” aimed at dismantling Pakistan’s largest and most popular political party.
Economic Instability and Political Turmoil
Citing economic deterioration, Khan blamed political instability for driving capital and investors out of the country. He asserted that Pakistan’s economic recovery is impossible without political stability, rule of law, and a government that truly represents the people’s aspirations.
Call for Military to Step Back from Politics
In his concluding remarks, Khan stressed that the military must separate itself from politics and focus on its designated responsibilities for the sake of national security. He warned that failure to do so could create dangerous fault lines within the country’s security framework.
“As a former Prime Minister, it is my responsibility to highlight these pressing issues for the betterment of the nation. The army is mine, and the country is mine,” he wrote, urging the establishment to reassess its policies before further damage is done.
The letter is expected to ignite further debate on civil-military relations in Pakistan, as Khan remains a vocal critic of the current government and its alleged backing by the establishment.
