Throughout the history of Pakistan, numerous confrontations have occurred between the army and politicians. However, never before has such a personal, toxic, and overt rivalry been witnessed. On one side stands former Prime Minister and cricket World Cup winner, Imran Khan, now confined behind the bars of Adiala Jail.
Opposite him is Pakistan's most influential figure, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, whose mere mention evokes a fiery response from Khan's supporters. This story began in 2019 with a phone tap and accusations of 'spousal espionage'...
Thus began a cascade of events involving power games for the army chief position, cipher incidents, motions of no confidence, the May 9 riots, imprisonment, penalties, and a political conflict that persists today. This isn't merely a vendetta between two individuals; it's a battle between the Pakistani military and a former prime minister. One labeled the other a 'traitor,' while the other retorted with charges of 'betrayal.' Let's delve into the depths of this saga that started with espionage and extended to coup endeavors.
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The 2018 elections ushered in Imran Khan's PTI into power, backed fully by the military. Come October that year, Khan appointed Lieutenant General Asim Munir as Director General of ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). At the time, Khan would remark – General Munir is a Hafiz-e-Quran, an upright and honest officer. They shared regular meetings and photographs, fostering what appeared as an amicable relationship.
Source: aajtak
Merely eight months later, in June 2019, Imran Khan suddenly removed Asim Munir from the ISI. According to Pakistani media and senior PTI leaders, the primary reason was a complaint from Khan’s third wife, Bushra Bibi, accusing the ISI of surveilling her and her relatives.
Bibi alleged to Khan – Your ISI chief is tapping the phones of my sisters and friends, feeding details of my private life back to him. Khan was incensed. He immediately summoned Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa, demanding Munir's removal. Munir was reassigned as the Gujranwala Corps Commander, sidelined, yet harboring resentment towards Khan.
As November 2022 neared, Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa was on the brink of retirement. Although Khan was still prime minister (until an April 2022 vote of no confidence unseated him), he aimed to appoint his ally General Faiz Hameed (then ISI chief) as army chief. However, Bajwa ultimately placed Asim Munir at the top of the seniority list.
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On November 24, 2022, Asim Munir ascended as Pakistan's new Army Chief. Imran Khan perceived this as his greatest betrayal, publicly stating – Munir has become army chief to settle old scores with me.
By April 2022, a vote of no confidence had unseated Imran Khan. Waving a paper in Parliament, Khan alleged – I have written proof that the United States colluded with certain military individuals to remove me. The document was dubbed the cipher. Khan claimed an official from the U.S. State Department threatened the Pakistani ambassador with dire consequences should Khan remain in power. Supporters continue to allege Asim Munir (then a senior general) and Bajwa were involved in this supposed conspiracy.
Source: aajtak
On May 9, 2023, Rangers arrested Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case within the Islamabad High Court premises. The same day, PTI workers unleashed chaos across Pakistan. In Lahore, the Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) was set ablaze. Gates of the Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi were breached, and several military installations were pelted with stones.
From jail, Khan sent a message claiming – Asim Munir orchestrated this against me. He seeks to end me. The army labeled it a Black Day, pointing to Imran Khan as the orchestrator.
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In January 2024, a special court sentenced Imran Khan and Shah Mahmood Qureshi to 10 years each in the cipher case. The army maintained the cipher was not a confidential document; Khan used it for political gain. Khan argued – This is Munir's revenge against me. He wants to see me rot in jail.
During the 2024 elections, independent candidates supported by PTI emerged as the largest group. However, overnight, results shifted, reinstating Shehbaz Sharif as prime minister. In response, Khan and his party openly accused Asim Munir of electoral fraud, branding him 'Mir Jafar' and 'Traitor No.1.'
Source: aajtak
Currently, Imran Khan remains in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, facing over 190 cases. Notably, Asim Munir's term was extended by two more years in November 2025, securing his position until 2027. From every jail, Khan consistently proclaims – My sole adversary is Asim Munir. PTI's social media reflects this resentment, with relentless criticisms directed at Munir.
Imran Khan's stance: Munir spied on my wife, triggering his dismissal. The U.S. manipulated my ousting through Munir. Munir orchestrated the May 9 turmoil to defame me.
Asim Munir and the Army's stance: The espionage allegations are baseless. Khan dragged the army into politics. The May 9 attack on the army was Khan's doing.
While tensions between the military and prime ministers recurrently surface in Pakistan's history, the feud between Imran Khan and Asim Munir stands as the most personal and perilous. On one side, a former prime minister languishing in prison, on the other, an indomitable army chief. Unless one admits complete defeat or concedes power, this battle will persist.
