'Blame Asim Munir if anything happens to me': Why Imran Khan is accusing Pak Army chief of targeting him in jail

File Photo - A supporter of jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan holds his poster during a gathering by PTI party to observe Martyrs' Day to honour those who allegedly died during last month's protest, in Peshawar on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has issued a stark warning from Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, urging his party members to hold Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir responsible if any harm comes to him.

In a lengthy post on X, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief alleged intensifying mistreatment of both himself and his wife, Bushra Bibi, behind bars, claiming their basic rights have been systematically stripped away.

“In recent days, the restrictions on me in prison have been further intensified. The scope of hardship on my wife, Bushra Begum, has also increased. The TV that was in her cell has been shut off. All the human and prisoner rights granted to me and my wife have been suspended – this must be accounted for,” he wrote.

Khan, 72, has been incarcerated since 2023 following convictions in multiple corruption cases that many observers have described as politically motivated. The former cricket star-turned-premier accused a colonel and the jail superintendent of acting directly on Munir’s instructions.

“I clearly instruct my party that if anything happens to me in prison, Asim Munir should be held accountable,” the post read.

Khan also revealed the possible personal motive behind Munir’s alleged hostility: a snubbed request for a meeting with Bushra Bibi after Munir was removed as ISI chief. According to Khan, the request was relayed through PTI leader Zulfi Bukhari but firmly rejected by Bushra.

“When Asim Munir was removed from his post of ISI chief, he attempted to send a message to Bushra Bibi... She firmly refused,” Khan wrote, implying that this rejection may have fueled a long-standing grudge.

The explosive allegations come just days ahead of PTI’s planned nationwide protests demanding Khan’s release. The demonstrations are expected to be symbolically led by Khan’s sons, Suleman Isa Khan and Kasim Khan, who have largely stayed away from politics until now.

Earlier this month, Khan’s former wife Jemima Goldsmith criticized the Pakistani government for blocking all communication between Khan and his children.

“My children have not been allowed to speak on the phone to their father. He has been in solitary confinement for nearly 2 years,” she posted on X.