Ruling, opposition parties condemn Imran's 'pro-military coup' statement

E-Paper | March 08, 2026

LAHORE: Politicians belonging to the ruling and opposition parties have strongly condemned Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief's statement regarding the people of Pakistan people welcoming a military takeover.

Comparing the coup attempt in Turkey with the situation in Pakistan, Imran Khan on Sunday had said people of Pakistan will celebrate and distribute sweets if the army takes over the country.

"Democracy in Pakistan is threatened by Nawaz's monarchy and the people will celebrate and distribute sweets if the army takes over," Imran had said while addressing a public rally in Azad Kashmir.

"Imran Khan is the 12th man of Pakistani politics. Awaiting a mishap to happen, so that he is asked to play. Otherwise he sits on the sidelines and sulks," Defence Minister Khawaja Asif tweeted, minutes after Imran's speech.

Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal termed the PTI chief's statement "a symbol of his political bankruptcy". Iqbal added that the statement is tantamount to inciting the army for a rebellion.

The prime minister's daughter, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, lambasted Imran Khan by calling him "one of the biggest political sellouts of recent times", adding that he is caged in a mindset which even the general public has broken free from.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi said it was an immature statement and the PTI chief should apologise to the nation.

Talking to APP, Kundi said democracy had returned to the country after enormous sacrifices rendered by democratic forces and his party will resist any move to derail the process.

Application for FIR

A lesser know political party, Pakistan Justice Party (PJP) has reportedly filed an application in Lahore's Anarkali police station, and has requested the police to register a case against Imran Khan over his 'unconstitutional' statement.

The application requests the police to register a case under Section 120 B (criminal conspiracy), Section 124 A (sedition) against Imran Khan as his statement calls for toppling a democratically elected government.

Police sources, however, denied receiving such an application from PJP.

Copy of PJP application against Imran Khan's statement.─Imran Gabol

Pakistan

Imran Gabol is a Lahore-based reporter for Dawn with over a decade of experience in journalism. He covers politics, climate change, human rights, education, and metropolitan affairs. He can be found on X at @gabolizm.

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eyewitness

Jul 18, 2016 09:33pm

The whole nation knows and supports what IK meant. The current political elite is so corrupt that the people of Pakistan see military as a saviour from these satanic politicians.

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Jul 18, 2016 09:36pm

Well, with the current political situation in the country, he has not said anything beyond the limits.

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F Khan

Jul 18, 2016 09:51pm

@EYEWITNESS:Please only speak for yourself and not the 'whole nation'. IK statement is one of the most pathetic statement by a politician who believes in the constitution and democracy.

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Guest from USA

Jul 18, 2016 09:55pm

It is condemnable statement by IK because it maligns military's image .

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Spooky

Jul 18, 2016 09:56pm

That is the ground reality. Ik is not speaking from him self this is the voice of general public. I don't believe on coup but I cannot change the people wish.

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Muzaffar Ali

Jul 18, 2016 09:59pm

Imran Khan Sahib you are right but you are no better as an alternative.

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Zia ur Rehman

Jul 18, 2016 10:02pm

Very true and honest statement by IK. He is not inviting the army to rule . He is saying mood on the streets. Politics in Pakistan means hypocracy. Let's be honest. Politicians should ask themselves about their image in front of the nation. At least IK has the courage to say the exact state of affairs

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Taimoor Khan

Jul 18, 2016 10:05pm

What IK said is true as daylight. Politicians and ruling elite class are completely out of touch with ground realities or simply just ignoring them knowing fully what the score is. IK is just saying the truth, nothing to do with pro or against military coup.

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Ayub

Jul 18, 2016 10:08pm

The country can not afford another military rule.

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M. Ahmed

Jul 18, 2016 10:16pm

@Zia ur Rehman, I agree 100%

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future

Jul 18, 2016 10:33pm

Our govt and opposition parties are not taking this country anywhere. I agree inviting martial law is not the best solution but in current condition when judiciary is not willing to contribute what other option you have to offer.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Jul 18, 2016 10:42pm

What IK said is true.

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Saif Ahmad

Jul 18, 2016 10:44pm

Agree with Imran. What democracy or constitution. Please save the country.

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ART KP

Jul 18, 2016 10:52pm

There is and never was democracy in Pakistan because government has rigged itself into power and ignores people of Pakistan.

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Riaz ali

Jul 18, 2016 10:54pm

IK is the voice of general publics except those who get benefits from corrupts politicians and bad governments .

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Shahid

Jul 18, 2016 11:06pm

Good and true statement by IK. Other parties only seek opportunity to defame this great leader of Pakistan.

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Freda Shah

Jul 18, 2016 11:12pm

IK should avoid making such immature statements. While most people would like to see an end to the stubbornly corrupt and inept civilian rule, yet military rule is not the solution to our problems. We need fairly and honestly held elections, under military supervision, to deliver genuine representatives of the people.

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Faheem Mohamedi

Jul 18, 2016 11:13pm

Imran, you should do things for the country rather than pass comments . You should not be talking bad about the current leadership, but learn to work with them so you can influence them to improve if really you want the better for Pakistan.

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geofferry

Jul 18, 2016 11:21pm

Sooner is better

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Viking Star

Jul 18, 2016 11:26pm

IK did not say anything weird. It's a fact and it's history of Pakistan that each time military takes over (a corrupt govt) people "do" come out on streets for bhangra and to distribute sweets. We never had a civilian leader like Erdogan. If we get one, the Pakistanis will also come out on streets in favor of their loved leader and against military.

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Suja Pasa

Jul 18, 2016 11:29pm

Imran Khan is a failed politician talking like school kids. Someone need to give him training to behave like an adult.

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Najam

Jul 18, 2016 11:29pm

Shouldn't have said this.

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T.M.Wazir

Jul 18, 2016 11:36pm

Truth is always bitter and always hunts. Politicians are afraid to loose their lucrative income and some may face serious changes and rot behind bars.

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Jul 18, 2016 11:44pm

@Spooky Then why IK did not do well in general election

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Akhtar, USA

Jul 19, 2016 12:07am

@Spooky Speak for yourself and not for the general public.

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Akhtar, USA

Jul 19, 2016 12:10am

@Riaz ali Your statement is unfair and condemable.

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Omair

Jul 19, 2016 12:28am

Military coup is a collective failure of all democratic forces not juSt the ruling party. I hope he understands democracy one day.

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Iqbal

Jul 19, 2016 03:29am

@T.M.Wazir Really and under which military ruler did we see that happen? Tall claims yes, substance no.

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Lala

Jul 19, 2016 04:06am

we the people support the removal of Nawaz Sharif. That does not necessarily mean Martial law.

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sam

Jul 19, 2016 04:37am

@F Khan when you have pathetic politician then what would you expect. I support IK view.

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shoukat sheikh

Jul 19, 2016 06:30am

He is the only man who will stand up to outside pressure. For one he know western culture and 2nd he is the real thing. He will not need 50 car convoy to transport him around for 2 reason 1. people love him 2nd he is brave.

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