PTI leadership warned that anti-army campaign will not be tolerated

WEB DESK: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders have been firmly warned that any disparaging campaign against the military or its top leadership, whether initiated by Imran Khan or amplified through the party’s social media teams, will no longer be tolerated, according to party insiders familiar with the development.

According to Jang, sources said the message delivered to PTI was “sharply worded” and conveyed with unusual clarity, indicating that the matter had reached a breaking point. The leadership was reportedly told that while criticism had continued for nearly three years, there was now no room whatsoever for attacks aimed at the institution or its senior command.

Tensions within the party have risen following a recent meeting between Imran Khan and his sister Uzma Khan in Adiala Jail. The meeting, arranged with the help of a few federal ministers and a prominent parliamentary figure, created discomfort for those facilitators after Uzma made strong public statements that intensified friction.

The episode became a topic of discussion among PTI lawmakers, several of whom privately expressed disappointment. According to insiders, senior members are increasingly urging Khan’s family to exercise restraint, avoid public repetition of harsh comments, and recognise the sensitive political moment in which the party is attempting to regain space and pursue dialogue.

Sources also revealed that some PTI figures were explicitly informed that authorities are fully aware of how the party’s social media machinery operates, including who directs it, how narratives are crafted, and how the content is circulated through Imran Khan’s accounts and other channels.

A party insider said that just as there was “no leniency” after the events of May 9, there would be zero tolerance for anti-army rhetoric going forward. Many PTI lawmakers, the source added, believe political engagement is the only way forward, but acknowledge that the tone of Khan’s statements and the party’s online messaging continues to obstruct any meaningful progress.

A PTI MNA noted that even if Imran Khan makes an emotional remark in private, those close to him, particularly his sisters, should avoid repeating such comments publicly, as they ultimately harm the party’s interests and weaken efforts aimed at political relief.