Imran Khan says ‘oppressive system will soon end,’ compares Asim Munir to Yahya Khan

Pakistan Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir

Pakistan’s jailed former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, accusing him of “inflicting oppression” on the people to extend his control and weaken the country.

Khan, the patron-in-chief of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), alleged that Munir has imposed an undeclared martial law by installing a puppet government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif after “stealing the people’s mandate” in the February elections, while unleashing atrocities on PTI workers.

“Today Asim Munir is inflicting oppression on the people of Pakistan to prolong his own rule, thus weakening the country,” Khan said in a post on X. The 72-year-old cricketer-turned-politician has been jailed for over two years in multiple cases.

He further claimed: “Those (Munir and company) who have stolen the people’s mandate are gripped by fear. It is because of this fear that oppression against us is increasing.”

Khan alleged that he and his wife Bushra Bibi are being kept in solitary confinement and subjected to “mental torture” in the hope that he will abandon his ideology. “The real purpose of this attempt to break me is to silence the people’s voice,” he said, comparing Munir’s conduct with that of General Yahya Khan during the 1971 fall of Dhaka.

“The only difference between 1971 and today is that now the people are more aware. Social media has exposed all the facts before the public, and the people have learned to stand up for their rights against tyranny. That is why this oppressive system will soon come to an end. The time has come for the people’s voice to be heard,” Khan added.

The former premier, ousted from power in April 2022 through a no-confidence vote, also condemned the recent bomb blast at a rally in Balochistan commemorating the death anniversary of Sardar Attaullah Mengal, which left at least 15 people dead. “I express my condolences to Akhtar Mengal. The situation in Balochistan is worsening by the day because elected representatives are not allowed to govern,” he said.

Khan urged PTI workers to “fully participate” in the strike called by Mahmood Achakzai in Balochistan on Monday. “The people of Balochistan deserve to be freed from terrorism and the hybrid system imposed on them,” he remarked.

He also accused authorities of targeting PTI in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying: “This must be immediately stopped by the provincial government. I direct KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur in particular to strongly resist and halt this operation, as the people of the province are already suffering due to the floods.”

Khan further urged the KP government to ensure drone strikes in the tribal areas are stopped. “Protecting the lives and property of the people is the responsibility of our government,” he said.

Turning to the floods, Khan said the devastation has destroyed crops, livestock, and livelihoods across the country. He appealed for nationwide solidarity: “Government institutions alone cannot face such a disaster. I urge all citizens to help the flood-hit.”

He also criticised Islamabad’s policy on Afghan refugees. “I feel pain that the Pakistani government is expelling Afghan refugees from the country. At this difficult time, we are standing with them. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government must also extend help to our Afghan brothers,” he said.

Government sources estimate that since the 2023 decision to expel all illegal foreigners, around 800,000 Afghan citizens have already been repatriated.

*With Agency Inputs