Imran Khan’s recent letter to Pakistan’s Army Chief is a bold, direct, and unapologetically blunt critique of the establishment. It cuts through the traditional evasiveness in Pakistani politics, where the real powers-that-be—those behind the curtains—are seldom directly called out. In this instance, Imran Khan defies convention, choosing to speak openly and squarely, addressing the individual most responsible for the current state of affairs—the Army Chief.
A Bold and Unapologetic Address: Exposing Military Overreach in Politics
From the outset, Khan’s letter is no diplomatic plea, no passive protest; it’s an unvarnished, “man-to-man” address that stands in stark contrast to the norm of speaking around the issue. The crux of his message is crystal clear: the army’s overreach into politics has created a devastating divide between the people and the institution that once commanded reverence. The fault lines Khan refers to are not just metaphorical—they represent a structural fracture in the national unity and security that threatens to destabilize the very foundation of the state.
Here are the key points of the letter:
- Khan’s analysis begins by confronting the army’s interference in the political process—he cites the rigging of the Feb. 2024 elections, calling out the agencies under military control as the true architects of political engineering, as a result of which a party with only 17 seats, lacking the true mandate of the people, came into power. This assertion directly refutes the military’s claims of neutrality and non-involvement in politics.
- He doesn’t mince words, accusing the army of orchestrating amending the constitution and law-making process and actions that subvert the political process and undermine the will of the people. The 26th Constitutional Amendment is just one example of how the military has allegedly maneuvered behind the scenes, manipulating the democratic process. He mentions “court packing” and manipulation of the judges objectively and comprehensively to further strengthen his argument.
- Khan then shifts to the silencing of the media, an area that, in his view, demonstrates the disturbing extent of the army’s control. The PECA Act and widespread media repression are painted as products of military policy, further driving a wedge between the people and the institution. Khan’s words here are poignant; he doesn’t just accuse the establishment; he speaks for the media outlets and journalists silenced under this regime. They are the voiceless, shackled by a system that punishes truth. I feel pity for our media, who are still mocking Khan for this letter. He spoke for them—for those who cannot invite their show guests without prior authorization from the agencies. The media should thank Khan for speaking up, as they themselves cannot call a spade a spade.
- Equally concerning to Khan is the political suppression of his party, PTI, and the blatant use of state power to crush dissent. With over 100,000 party members purged and thousands detained, Khan argues that the military has wielded its power not for national security, but as a weapon in a political vendetta. This, too, is a direct critique of the army’s political overreach and its role in fomenting division.
- The letter also ties economic instability and rising terrorism to the military’s fixation on internal politics. Khan condemns the establishment for its mismanagement of the economy and its failure to prioritize national security, particularly when it comes to border security and the rising threat of terrorism. This neglect has, according to Khan, exacerbated Pakistan’s economic crisis and fueled public anger toward the establishment.
- Finally, the most striking accusation is that the military has abandoned its constitutional role of protecting the borders, instead meddling in the judiciary and internal politics. This, Khan argues, is not only damaging to the country’s security architecture but also to the credibility and integrity of the army itself, creating the “fault lines.”.
The most impactful word in this entire letter is “fault lines.” The illegal actions and the political role of the army have created cracks in the nation’s security architecture. These cracks will make the foundation weak, and one day the structure will collapse, burying everyone—from politics to the judiciary to the establishment itself—under its rubble.
The Take-Home Message: A Call for Reform
Imran Khan concludes the letter by summarizing the situation and giving a “take-home message”: These actions have caused a deepening rift between the people and the army. The only way to fix this is for the army to separate itself from politics and return to its constitutional role—back to the barracks.
Imran Khan’s open letter to the Army Chief, Gen Asim Munir, highlighted the systemic abuse of power against PTI, where state institutions have been engaging in human rights violations, unlawful raids, and ignoring judicial processes to politically target the party and its… pic.twitter.com/mQhhCXCXQg
— PTI Canada Official (@PTIOfficialCA) February 4, 2025
Khan’s letter is not just a critique of military overreach; it’s a call to the army to return to its constitutional duties, to abandon its interference in politics, and to restore the trust it once held with the people. For those who dismiss this letter as a “plea” or an NRO,” they miss the larger point. This is not about seeking personal gain or political leverage. It’s a moment of courage and clarity—a political leader, though ousted from power, using his platform to speak truth to power. Imran Khan’s letter will remain a historic example of an ex-prime minister standing tall, calling out the establishment for its role in widening the gap between the institutions and the public, and urging a return to the principles that should guide Pakistan’s future.
Whether the Army Chief responds is irrelevant. The letter has already done its job—the entire country has read it. It is now archived in history that the former Prime Minister of Pakistan made every effort to “blow the timely whistle” to raise awareness about the fracturing trust between the people of the country and their once-admired institution, the army. This letter, which the current government and their media associates will never fully understand, calls for a new standard of wisdom and courage. It goes beyond their intellectual capacity to comprehend what “Let’s talk straight, man to man” truly means.
Author is Board certified Gastroenterologist and teaches as Assistant Professor at Ohio State University, United States.