Rift erupts in Imran Khan's PTI after Pakistan army chief Asim Munir's elevation: 'Might as well declare him King'

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan

A major rift has emerged within the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Pakistan over the Shehbaz Sharif government's decision to promote Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir to the rank of field marshal.

While interim PTI chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan publicly congratulated Munir for his elevation, jailed party founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has sharply criticised the move, according to a report in The Dawn.

As per a post on his official X account, which is handled by unidentified aides, Imran Khan reportedly conveyed his disapproval at the elevation during interactions with lawyers, journalists and family members at Adiala Jail on Wednesday.

The post claimed Khan said that Pakistan was being governed under the "law of the jungle," and sarcastically added that General Munir might as well be declared "king" because “there is only one king” under such a system.

Imran's assertion was not far off since the stranglehold of the all-powerful military in Pakistan's power corridors has long been an open secret. Munir's elevation to the highest possible rank in Pakistani military (he is only the second Pakistani army chief to become field marshal) has cemented his grip on power.

Khan’s sister, Aleema Khan, also expressed dissatisfaction with Gohar's remarks, asserting that he had spoken in a personal capacity. “The opinion of the party is not the opinion of Barrister Gohar,” she was quoted as saying by Dawn.

“We have given the statement of the founder of PTI yesterday… it would be better if the army chief gave himself the title of the king,” she reiterated.

However, Gohar struck a conciliatory tone after meeting Imran Khan in jail, telling reporters that the elevation of General Munir "entailed responsibility."

"Allah has given the honour to COAS Asim Munir and also entailed responsibility. I request all to improve/normalise the situation of the country," Dawn quoted him as saying.

The Shehbaz Sharif government in Pakistan approved the field marshal promotion in recognition of General Munir’s leadership during the recent military standoff with India.

The elevation was seen as a face-saver for Munir, who thrust the two countries on the escalatory ladder and had to pull back following India's strikes on key Pakistani air bases. The two sides reached a ceasefire understanding following DGMO-level talks.