Imran Khan, once Pakistan’s most celebrated and flamboyant public figure, is now lodged in Adiala Jail, and his health has reportedly deteriorated severely under Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir's tenure.
The rivalry between the former prime minister and Munir has made global headlines. Even cricketers from both India and Pakistan jumped into the scene to take sides in the matter involving the two.
Fourteen veteran cricketers, including Greg Chappell, Kapil Dev, and Sunil Gavaskar, wrote to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, urging proper medical care and legal facilities for the 1992 World Cup-winning captain.
Earlier, several former cricketers, including Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis, and Shahid Afridi, among others, took to social media to demand proper medical care for the legendary cricketer.
The rivalry between Khan and Munir is not just due to the former PM falling out of favour with the military; it stems from a more personal episode in 2019, when Munir headed the ISI.
What happened in 2019: Bushra Bibi factor
The conflict traces back to 2019, when the former captain of Pakistan’s 1992 ODI World Cup-winning team was serving as prime minister, and Asim Munir was heading the ISI.
Tensions surfaced during Munir’s brief eight-month tenure as director-general, one of the shortest in the agency’s history, after he began examining corruption allegations linked to the wife of Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi.
The move reportedly angered Imran Khan, who urged army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa to remove him. Munir was later reassigned to command a corps in Gujranwala, a prestigious role that nonetheless distanced him from direct oversight of Pakistan’s main intelligence apparatus.
The rift widened as Munir reportedly presented evidence of financial irregularities linked to Bushra Bibi’s associates, according to The Economist, turning mistrust into one of Pakistan’s most consequential institutional confrontations.
Bushra Bibi now faces major legal challenges, including a 17-year sentence alongside her husband in a corruption case. She has, however, secured interim bail in a protest-related matter, with the court barring her arrest until the next hearing on February 18.
Rumours also circulated within political circles that senior military officials were uncomfortable with her influence in government decision-making, claims repeatedly rejected by Khan’s party.
Civilian rule vs military power
After almost 78 years of independence, no prime minister has completed a full five-year term. Despite being a constitutional parliamentary democracy, civilian governments have historically struggled to remain in power without military backing.
Khan realised the seriousness of this power dynamic after his removal in April 2022 and began openly criticising the military establishment. In November 2022, he survived a gun attack during a political rally.
Later that month, Asim Munir, previously removed as ISI chief by Khan, became army chief, effectively the most powerful office in the country. Khan was arrested in May 2023.
For the first time in Pakistan’s history, protesters attacked military installations. Khan directly accused Munir of orchestrating his arrest and trying to block his political comeback.
The Bajwa factor
Several former allies claimed Bushra Bibi held significant influence in meetings between Khan and military leadership, allegations strongly denied by the party.
“General Bajwa was always ranting about her, saying she does black magic,” said one of Khan’s former cabinet ministers, according to The Economist report. “Bajwa was pissed off because he felt that Khan listened to her more than him.”
Supporters of Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, later accused Bajwa of conspiring with opposition parties to remove him from office, a claim political rivals rejected.
What is happening now?
Imran Khan may be shifted to a hospital soon for further treatment, according to reports. He has reportedly lost most of the vision in his right eye, with lawyers telling the Supreme Court he retains only about 15% eyesight due to delayed care.
The court has ordered an independent medical examination and reviewed a report detailing his prison conditions and deteriorating health. Tests were conducted inside jail, but Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf termed the process “malicious” as family members and personal doctors were excluded, while his sisters rejected official claims and accused authorities of concealing the severity of his condition.
The family has demanded his transfer to a civilian hospital under trusted physicians and alleged a “lethal conspiracy” involving senior officials, including Mohsin Naqvi and the military leadership.
Meanwhile, international personalities have appealed for humane medical care, and PTI supporters continue to protest, seeking transparency. Khan has remained jailed since August 2023 in multiple cases, turning his health into a major political flashpoint in Pakistan.
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