We also criticised the military but never crossed the red line: Khawaja Asif

WEB DESK: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday delivered a sharply worded statement accusing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of crossing what he described as national security red lines. He said that while his own party had openly criticised the military in the past, it had “never crossed that line”, unlike the PTI, which he claimed was actively undermining state institutions.

Speaking to Geo News, Asif questioned the PTI’s commitment to the fight against terrorism, saying its leaders neither support ongoing operations nor attend the funerals of security personnel. “If PTI members cannot fight the war against terrorism, cannot own this war, and cannot attend the funerals of martyrs, what does that tell you?” he asked.

He also condemned PTI leaders for giving interviews to Indian media, arguing that such actions warranted the strong pushback they were now facing. He singled out former prime minister Imran Khan for what he described as the country’s steady decline over the last four to five years, calling an interview given by Khan’s sister to an Indian outlet a “turning point”.

Asif further alleged that the party orchestrates hostile social media campaigns, questioning whether PTI has ever condemned the online abuse emanating from its ranks. Echoing recent comments by the military spokesperson, he said “one person has become a danger to national security”, accusing Imran Khan of adopting an all-or-nothing approach to power.

The defence minister concluded that while criticism of institutions is valid, PTI’s stance, particularly on counterterrorism, amounts to a direct breach of Pakistan’s security imperatives.

ISPR chief blasts Imran Khan for fuelling anti-military sentiment

DG ISPR Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Friday had delivered one of the military’s strongest public criticisms yet of PTI founder Imran Khan, accusing him of pushing an “anti-army narrative” that has escalated into a national security threat. Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, he said a “creeping security threat” had emerged from the “delusional mindset of a delusional person”, alleging that Khan’s ego and ambitions had reached a point where he believed the country could not function without him.

Reiterating the military’s stance that it has no involvement in politics, Lt-Gen Chaudhry warned that the institution will not tolerate attacks on its leadership. He upheld recent comments that the army was prepared for a “bare-knuckled response” if compelled, stressing that the former prime minister had crossed all bounds of responsible political discourse.

The DG ISPR also confirmed that the newly established headquarters of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) has become operational, calling it a major step in improving command oversight and addressing Pakistan’s evolving security needs.

Turning to hybrid warfare and information campaigns, he said anti-Pakistan narratives originating from India and Afghanistan were being amplified through foreign troll networks. These, he claimed, were often fed by domestic political elements who supplied negative content to Indian outlets. He pointed to Imran Khan’s recent tweets, labelled “mentally unstable” comments about Field Marshal Asim Munir, and his sister’s interview with Indian media as examples of material that foreign networks exploit.

He criticised Khan’s alleged calls for halting remittances and non-payment of electricity bills, describing such appeals as attempts to weaken the state. Lt-Gen Chaudhry emphasised that no one would be allowed to create a rift between the public and the armed forces, saying the military remains the country’s shield against external and internal threats. He concluded that the public understands these destabilising narratives and continues to stand with Pakistan’s armed forces.