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• Asif says Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has every right to comment on Imran’s ‘anti-state’ narrative
• Questions opposition party’s patriotism
• Ahsan Iqbal asserts he would have used harsher language if it were him
ISLAMABAD: Federal ministers on Saturday blasted the PTI for its reaction to a press conference by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, wherein he had launched a scathing attack on party founder Imran Khan.
On Friday, Lt Gen Chaudhry — without once naming Imran — called the former premier “a mentally ill person”, “a narcissist” and “a security risk”, while stressing it was for the government to decide how to deal with him.
He accused Mr Khan and his party of pushing a narrative designed to undermine the armed forces and destabilise the state.
In response, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali expressed “disappointment” over the comments, stating that the party’s “narrative has never been, nor will it ever be, anti-state”.
Speaking to the media in Sialkot, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recalled that Mr Khan had used “harsh language” in the past for members of the opposition, insisting that the PTI had no right to object to the comments by the military’s spokesman.
‘Guarded reaction’
“When they were in power, I remember, he [Mr Khan] would engage in theatrics and sometimes don a dupatta to mimic leaders. He did that for Mehmood Khan Achakzai, who is with him today. He would also use derogatory language for women,” the defence minister said, adding that the incarcerated leader continued to do the same via statements made on his X account.
“If DG ISPR has given a reaction, I believe it is a guarded reaction,” he said.
The minister assailed the PTI for engaging in activities that were reflective of an “anti-state” narrative. He deplored that the party leadership did not “acknowledge” the sacrifices of the armed forces in the fight against terrorism.
“I have attended the funerals of many martyrs … I have never seen someone from the PTI there,” the defence minister said, urging the party to “speak in favour of martyrs and not terrorists”.
“Do not attempt to hold dialogue with terrorists or take a soft stance with them,” Mr Asif warned, telling the PTI that “when you continue to adopt such an approach, this is exactly the kind of language that will be used against you”.
Patriotism questioned
Mr Asif was of the view that while the military spokesman was “still careful with his words”, he, however, had the liberty to give the PTI founder a “hard-hitting answer”.
Referring to interviews given by Mr Khan’s sisters to the Indian media, Mr Asif assailed the party for “engaging with the enemy”.
“How can they call themselves Pakistanis and patriots?” he questioned.
The defence minister further said the PTI’s “sole ideology is to gain power”, alleging that the party had no “allegiance to Pakistan”.
Referring to the May conflict with India, Mr Asif said that while all neighbouring countries expressed sympathy over the martyrdom of Pakistani soldiers and stood with the country during the fighting, one political party at home “played no role” in confronting the enemy.
“The PTI leader has something to say about everything; why did he not say anything during the conflict for our armed forces [with India]?” he asked. “He [DG ISPR] has every right to say it.” In a warning to the PTI, the defence minister said: “Do your politics, hold protests, but do not threaten the sovereignty and honour of Pakistan.”
‘Stronger words’
Speaking at an event in Lahore, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal also defended the DG ISPR and censured the PTI for its response, the state-run APP reported.
He claimed that the DG ISPR’s press conference had become “necessary under the circumstances”.
Mr Iqbal noted that the armed forces were making immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, and any attempt to “unfairly criticise or target” the institution would be dealt with strictly.
“If it were me [instead of the DG ISPR], I would have used even stronger words.”
Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2025
