Increasingly, Imran Khan (pictured) has singled out General Munir as the architect of what he says is a campaign of persecution aimed at to prevent him from returning to power Photo: AP Photo/KM Chaudary
In a country where the army is publicly spoken of with respect and gratitude, Mr. Khan has launched an outright personal attack on the army commander in recent days, claiming that General Munir threatens «democracy, our constitution, fundamental rights.»
“Essentially, he is destroying the future of this country to protect himself,” the 70-year-old said last week.
The former Pakistani cricketer captain has been waging a relentless protest campaign since April 2022 was ousted from power in a parliamentary vote of no confidence.
His allegations that he was squeezed out by a US-backed conspiracy backed by high-ranking generals and his political rivals drew widespread sympathy, despite the fact that that he provided little evidence.
Refusing to go quietly, he rallied massive crowds and demanded early polls. He was also shot and killed in an assassination attempt, faced numerous court cases and was arrested earlier this month.
Mr Khan increasingly singles out General Munir as the architect of what he says is persecution campaign to prevent him from returning to power.
General Asim Munir has long been a high-flying man, having won the sword of honor as a cadet and pursuing a career in prestigious teams. Photo: Reuters
General Munir took the top post in the army in November, replacing General Qamar Javed Bajwa, but they clashed earlier.
The general was a high-flyer for a long time, having won the sword of the honorary rank of cadet and continuing his career in prestigious commands.
He was head of military intelligence, overseeing the internal affairs of the army, and then head of intelligence.
It is reported that it was in his capacity as chief of intelligence that he first encountered Mr. Khan, who was then prime minister. .
General Munir reportedly told Mr. Khan that he wanted to investigate allegations of corruption around his wife and her circle.
Then, in June 2019, he was removed from your post. only eight months, and the term was to be three years.
The army has offered no explanation for the reshuffle that saw General Munir sent to lead an army corps in the Punjab and replaced by a hardliner.
«Described as a straight arrow,» according to Farzana Sheikh of London's Chatham House. Tank, said: “Munir was described by people who know him as a straight arrow, and he clearly ran into difficulties with Khan when he decided, as head of the ISI, to bring to his attention allegations of corruption against members of his family.
“It was pretty close to the bone because the family members are focused on Khan's wife. Khan is said to have fired Munir on this basis, although Khan never gave a reason or explained why.
«It is well known that there was a conflict between the two men, and that conflict is now being played out in this final battle.»
Mr Khan later vehemently denied that he forced General Munir to resign for showing him the corruption cases against his wife. "This is completely wrong" He said.
Mr. Khan now accuses the army commander of plotting to keep him out of power, suggesting that he fears for his post if Mr. Khan returns to power. Neither the army nor General Munir responded to Mr. Khan's claims.
The current government of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) is watching with dismay Mr. Khan's popularity in the opposition, even after he's been hit with dozens of cases, from corruption to terrorism.
Imran Khan gets a breather
Earlier this month, he received a reprieve when the Supreme Court ruled that his arrest was unlawful. However, the pause is likely to be temporary, said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Center's South Asia Institute.
He said: “It is unlikely that civilian and military leadership will be held back by the Supreme Court. decision.
«They don't want Khan to have a chance to return to power, which means another arrest is possible, as well as an attempt to remove him from office.»
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Mr. Kugelman added: «Since Khan has singled out the current army commander as someone who is trying to undermine his position, a one-on-one battle between the powerful army commander and the popular leader of the opposition may soon play out.»
It will be an uphill battle. a battle for Mr. Khan, as the military is considered the most powerful political force in the country and has a long history of picking favorites to rule.
“Usually in these battles, the military wins. , but when the armed forces are on the defensive in a way they haven't been for many years, who knows which direction this confrontation will take,” said Mr. Kugelman.
Force of the Armed Forces
Mr. Khan is well aware of the force the military can use. In the past, he himself was a favorite of generals and was accused of persecuting his political rivals when he was in power. or a system that allows the army to command shots,” said Dr. Sheikh.
She said, “Actually, Imran Khan is upset that the military establishment has stopped supporting him. What he really wants is the military, who is on his side.”
Neither side seems ready to back down just yet.
As the duel continues, Mr. Khan is likely to get bogged down in more legal cases and find attempts to sow discord in his party's upper ranks and split off his allies.
'Imran Khan is our lion'
Between whatever the government or the military throws at him, he seems to rise in popularity.
“Imran Khan — our lion and great leader speaking for Pakistan,” one supporter named Adil Khan said at a protest against Mr. Khan’s arrest earlier this month.
“We want elections and nothing more” said another young supporter named Jazeeb Ali. “These rulers don't want this because their defeat is on the wall.”
And all this at a time when the country is in an economic crisis and is struggling to avoid a default. As one leading daily newspaper recently complained in an editorial: “At this point, there is an urgent need to defuse the prevailing tension. The country can no longer withstand the stress.”
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