Imran Khan vs Asim Munir: Why Pak Army chief's growing control sparks alarm amid Khan’s death rumours | Explained

The deepening uncertainty surrounding Imran Khan’s fate has evolved into far more than a routine political controversy in Pakistan. It has become a disturbing reflection of a system increasingly controlled by an unaccountable military establishment under Field Marshal Asim Munir, whose consolidation of power now overshadows every institution in the country.

As rumours of Khan’s worsening condition and possible torture continue to swirl, the regime’s persistent refusal to offer transparency or credible proof of life has only strengthened suspicions of deliberate suppression. Khan’s isolation, the denial of family access and the silencing of dissent point to a calculated effort to neutralise a political opponent rather than uphold justice. At the centre of this storm stands Munir, whose rise from a sidelined spy chief to Pakistan’s dominant power broker represents a troubling shift towards authoritarian control.

Death rumours and the growing demand for proof of life

Speculation over Imran Khan’s health and safety refuses to subside despite repeated claims by the government and Adiala Jail authorities that he is “fit and healthy”. The total communication blackout surrounding his condition has instead intensified public anxiety. His sisters Noreen Niazi and Aleema Khanum have demanded access and warned of dire consequences if any harm comes to him. His son Kasim Khan added to the alarm by demanding proof of life, stating, “This absolute blackout is not a security protocol. It is a deliberate attempt to hide his condition and prevent our family from knowing whether he is safe.”

The absence of direct contact, verified medical reports or independent confirmation has transformed official assurances into hollow statements. For many Pakistanis and international observers, the secrecy itself has become proof that something is being deliberately concealed.

Khan’s resurfaced warning and direct accusation against Munir

Amid this uncertainty, Khan’s 2024 op-ed has returned to the spotlight. In it, he directly blamed Asim Munir and the military establishment for attempting to crush his political movement and warned he would be held responsible if anything happened to him or his wife. He wrote that he would “prefer death over slavery” and accused the military of exhausting all options except murder.

His statement now appears ominously prophetic as his isolation deepens and transparency declines. The lines he wrote have only reinforced the perception that Khan’s current treatment is not incidental but part of a broader plan to eliminate him politically and psychologically.

How the feud began between Khan and Munir

The hostility between Imran Khan and Asim Munir originated in 2019 when Khan, then prime minister, removed Munir from his role as head of the ISI. Allegations circulated that Munir had presented evidence of corruption involving Bushra Bibi, which Khan denied. That dismissal marked the beginning of an intensely personal and political rivalry that would later reshape Pakistan’s power landscape.

While Khan remained in office briefly, Munir quietly rebuilt his position within the military hierarchy. His return was not merely a recovery but the launchpad for a sweeping consolidation of power that would follow Khan’s ouster.

The military-engineered downfall and Munir’s rise to supremacy

When Imran Khan was removed from power in 2022, many analysts viewed it as a military-backed political manoeuvre. Shortly after, Munir became army chief, placing him at the centre of Pakistan’s security and political architecture. The power struggle intensified after Khan accused senior ISI officer Major General Faisal Naseer of being behind the assassination attempt on his life, a claim widely interpreted as a direct challenge to Munir himself.

Since assuming the top military post, Munir has transformed Pakistan’s power structure. Constitutional amendments have granted sweeping legal protections to the military elite, stripped courts of meaningful authority and institutionalised military supremacy. His elevation to Field Marshal further entrenched his status as Pakistan’s ultimate power broker, operating above civilian leadership and judicial scrutiny.

Imran Khan’s isolation as a political strategy

Khan’s detention conditions, marked by prolonged isolation and restricted family access, are increasingly viewed as part of a systematic campaign to crush dissent. Even from prison, he continued to challenge Munir, labelling him an oppressive ruler and accusing him of inflicting tyranny upon the nation. His claim that Pakistan is now governed by “Asim Law” rather than the Constitution has resonated deeply among his supporters.

With no posts from Khan for weeks and no communication verified by independent sources, fears have grown that his condition is being deliberately concealed in order to avoid scrutiny or accountability.

A nation sliding deeper into military dominance

The situation surrounding Imran Khan reflects a broader decay in Pakistan’s democratic framework. Judicial institutions have been neutralised, civilian leadership weakened and power concentrated in the hands of a single military figure. Munir now commands an unprecedented level of control, shielded by legal immunity and supported by a system that no longer prioritises accountability or transparency.

Khan’s plight has moved beyond personal persecution and has become a symbol of Pakistan’s democratic erosion. The continued silence, secrecy, and suppression surrounding his condition expose the reality of a country drifting toward entrenched authoritarianism.