Imran Khan brands Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir “most oppressive dictator” in country’s history
Islamabad, November 6 2025 —Jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched a blistering attack on the nation’s military leadership, declaring Asim Munir — the Army Chief of Pakistan — to be the “most oppressive dictator” in the country’s history. The remarks mark one of the most aggressive public denunciations of the military establishment by Khan, whose political party continues to face a sweeping crackdown.
Speaking from custody, Khan posted on his official social-media handle: “Asim Munir is the most oppressive dictator in Pakistan’s history and a mentally unstable man. The extent of tyranny under his rule is unprecedented… Munir, in his lust for power, is capable of doing anything.
Key accusations and context
Khan’s statement ties in with a series of violent incidents he attributes to Munir’s leadership, including the May 9 protests, the November 26 unrest and the crackdown in Muridke. He described these events as examples of “the blind use of power” by security forces and alleged that his wife, Bushra Bibi, is being held in isolation to exert pressure on him.
He declared that his party, Pakistan Tehreek‑e‑Insaf (PTI), would not enter into negotiations with the current civilian government or the army establishment — characterising the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, as little more than a puppet.
What this means politically
For Khan and PTI, this proclamation shifts the battleground: from electoral politics to a direct confrontation with the military-establishment. By branding Munir as a “dictator”, Khan is framing his own imprisonment and his party’s suppression as part of a broader authoritarian crackdown rather than political rivalry.
Analysts believe this intensifies the polarisation in Pakistani politics. On one side is Khan positioning himself as the victim of a military-led injustice; on the other, the military and civilian leadership asserting control. The stakes are high: Pakistan’s delicate civilian-military balance is under renewed strain.
Why Munir is at the centre
As Army Chief, Asim Munir wields significant influence over both security and political dimensions of Pakistan’s governance. His tenure has seen increased scrutiny of civilian institutions and mounting allegations from opposition figures of widespread repression.
Though not formally designated as a dictator in the conventional sense, Munir’s critics point to his power over state machinery, emergency powers, and the capacity to act with limited institutional check. Khan’s statement emphasises this shift in narrative — that the dominant power in Pakistan is the army, not the elected civilian leadership.
Implications & possible outcomes
Khan’s accusations raise several potential consequences:
- Legal and political pressure: The military and government may respond with further legal actions against Khan, his party and supporters.
- Public mobilisation: PTI’s base could rally behind Khan’s narrative of state repression, raising the risk of major protests and clashes with security forces.
- International perceptions: Accusations of a dictatorship in Pakistan by a former prime minister may increase global scrutiny and affect relations with allies.
- Institutional balance: If civilian-military dynamics tilt further, Pakistan’s democratic institutions could be weakened, raising concerns about oversight, rule of law and human rights.
Khan’s positioning and strategy
Khan’s denouncement is strategic: by framing Munir as the singular source of oppression, he simplifies his political narrative into one of “David vs Goliath” — where he and PTI represent civilians fighting an entrenched military state. This resonates with his long-standing rhetoric of fighting for democracy, the rule of law and popular sovereignty.
Yet the move is also risky. Accusing the army chief of dictatorship and mentally instability invites retaliation and reduces the space for negotiation with state structures. It solidifies Khan’s role as opposition in irreconcilable conflict rather than as a partner in governance.
The bigger picture
Pakistan has a long history of military rule. Past leaders like Muhammad Zia‑ul‑Haq and Pervez Musharraf had overtly taken control through martial law. Khan’s claim that Munir — a serving military leader rather than a formal dictator — is the “most oppressive dictator” signals a paradigm shift: that modern oppression may be wielded through informal dominance rather than outright martial law.
It raises the question: has Pakistan moved from visible coups to subtler forms of military dominance? Khan’s language suggests yes — and he is dragging the institution into the spotlight like never before.
