Asim Munir a ‘radicalised Islamist’ pushing for full-scale war with India: Imran Khan’s sister in bombshell charge on Pak Army chief

Launching a scathing attack on Asim Munir, Aleema Khanum, sister of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, has accused Pakistan’s Army Chief of being a “radicalised Islamist” who is allegedly pushing the country toward a direct military confrontation with India. Aleema made the remarks during an interview with Sky News, marking one of the sharpest public attacks yet on Munir from within Pakistan’s political class.

According to Aleema, her brother represents the opposite end of Pakistan’s ideological divide. She described Imran Khan as a “pure liberal” who worked consistently to improve ties with New Delhi. Speaking to Sky News, Aleema said her brother had tried to create space for peace with India, including with the Bharatiya Janata Party government. In contrast, she claimed that Munir’s “Islamic radicalisation and conservatism” were shaping Pakistan’s current hostile posture. She accused the Army Chief of wanting a “full-scale war with India.”

Her accusations come at a time when Imran Khan is held in solitary confinement in Adiala Jail. The interview followed a rare meeting between Imran and his sister Dr Uzma Khanum, which took place only after what the family described as mounting international pressure. Aleema suggested that the military’s decision to allow the meeting revealed growing unease within Pakistan’s establishment.

A dangerous moment for India-Pakistan relations

Aleema’s comments were made against the backdrop of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The situation deteriorated sharply after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were killed in Kashmir. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, striking targets inside Pakistani territory and destroying terror camps and related military infrastructure. Analysts have noted that this marked a clear shift from India’s earlier restraint and was seen as a direct reaction to the increasingly aggressive language coming from Pakistan’s military leadership.

Munir has been at the centre of this shift. His previous statements, including his claim that Kashmir is Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and his repeated references to “stark differences between Hindus and Muslims,” have been widely seen as divisive and dangerous. Critics argue that the Army Chief’s ideological framing has contributed to a climate of extremism and confrontation inside Pakistan.

Aleema’s interview echoed this criticism. She argued that Munir’s worldview is driving Pakistan into conflict and isolating the country diplomatically. By contrast, she said Imran Khan had consistently sought stability through engagement and dialogue.

A political message to the West

Aleema also used the interview to call for an international effort to secure Imran Khan’s release. She described him as an “asset” for global powers, especially those seeking stability in South Asia. In her view, Imran’s return to political leadership is crucial to prevent further escalation between two nuclear armed countries.

She warned that Pakistan under Munir is drifting toward a highly militarised and radical direction, with little room for political negotiation or democratic processes. According to Aleema, this trajectory increases the risk of a major regional conflict, possibly triggered by the Army Chief’s ideological ambitions.

Munir’s expanding power under scrutiny

Aleema’s explosive allegations arrive at a moment when Field Marshal Munir is already facing criticism for the widening control he has taken over Pakistan’s political and security institutions. His influence has grown significantly since Imran Khan’s removal from office, and many analysts believe he is the central figure shaping the state’s domestic and foreign policy. The Sky News interview challenges the legitimacy of this consolidation of power and casts Munir as a destabilising force both inside Pakistan and in the wider region.

By publicly accusing the Army Chief of desiring war and of promoting a radical Islamist outlook, Aleema has forced a sensitive debate into the global spotlight. Her remarks highlight the deep political rupture inside Pakistan and raise questions about whether the current military leadership is steering the country toward unpredictable and dangerous outcomes.