Pakistan's political parties rally behind Asim Munir led military, slam PTI over ‘anti-state narrative’

Pakistan parties close ranks over army

Lawmakers from across Pakistan’s political spectrum threw their weight behind the armed forces, accusing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of trying to “malign state institutions” and promote an “anti-state narrative”, Dawn reported.

The political pushback followed PTI’s objections to a recent press briefing by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesperson, who had described jailed former prime minister Imran Khan as a “narcissist” and a “mentally ill person”. During the briefing, the spokesperson also warned that the PTI founder was “edging into ‘security threat’ territory” because of his repeated rhetoric against the military.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal weighed in on X, calling Imran’s remarks “a deeply irresponsible and dangerous trend that seeks to undermine Pakistan's state institutions, weaken national cohesion, and erode public trust in the armed forces who defend our borders with courage and sacrifice.”

“Political differences are part of any democracy, but when politics crosses the line into anti-state narrative building, deliberate misinformation, and attacks on the integrity of Pakistan's Armed Forces and its leadership, it threatens the stability, security, and unity of the country,” Iqbal wrote. He added that no politician should “weaponise divisive rhetoric for personal gain at the cost of Pakistan's national security.”

According to Dawn, leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) also rebuked PTI, accusing it of abandoning conventional politics and turning instead to street agitation to destabilise the country. MQM-P chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said PTI had “continued its politics of hurling allegations” rather than raising concerns through appropriate forums.

Siddiqui questioned whether there was a coordinated effort behind PTI’s actions, “giving way to fears that there might be some foreign elements involved in all of this.” While parties could hold differing views, he said, “but whenever the country found itself in crisis, all political parties were seen to be standing together,” urging “a joint, united struggle against all such attempts.”

Balochistan Chief Minister and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Sarfaraz Bugti also criticised Imran, accusing him of “spreading propaganda against the army and maligning them in line with the agenda of hostile agencies,” Dawn reported. Stressing the need for unity with security forces, Bugti noted that “two provinces were facing a serious insurgency” and asked why citizens should “become part of it.” “Our state should always be above our politics. Because if there is no state, there will be nothing,” he said.

Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, addressing reporters, described Imran as a “threat to national security” and alleged PTI had received foreign funding. He echoed the ISPR’s language, referring to Imran as a “mental patient”, and criticised PTI leaders for using media platforms to attack the military.

“You cannot handle jail, and you're threatening national security,” Abbasi said, alleging that PTI had “targeted monuments to martyrs, GHQ, Corps Commander House. You did what our enemies hoped to achieve.”

PTI pushed back strongly, saying “Imran always stood firm for his country, its institutions, and the people of Pakistan at every forum.” The party argued he had secured “diplomatic, military and narrative advantage” internationally and “strengthened the credibility of national institutions,” while accusing the government of branding dissent as anti-state.

At a press conference on Saturday, PTI interim chairman Gohar Ali Khan said it was “unfortunate for democracy” for a senior officer to use such language against a major political party. PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said Imran was not a national security threat and warned authorities “not to drive away the people of Pakistan,” arguing that Imran “kept the people united.”

Raja described the ISPR briefing as “unfortunate” and said the party would not engage with accusations against its founder. “Today we are being told that the country's most popular leader is a national security threat, which is ridiculous,” he said, cautioning that efforts to “minus Imran Khan” would harm attempts to keep the country’s interests united.

(With ANI inputs)