“Imran Khan Is Not a Security Threat”: PTI Hits Back at Military Remarks, Warns of Weakening Democracy

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Sunday forcefully rejected recent military-linked remarks characterizing former Prime Minister Imran Khan as a potential “security threat,” calling the narrative a deliberate attempt to sideline the country’s most popular political leader. PTI leaders said the comments reflect a troubling pattern of institutional overreach and an erosion of democratic space in Pakistan.

In a sharply worded statement, PTI asserted that Imran Khan has “always acted within the constitutional framework” and remains committed to non-violence and democratic reform. “Imran Khan is not a security threat — the real threat is the repeated interference in civilian political matters,” the party said, pointing to the former prime minister’s imprisonment and the crackdown on PTI supporters as evidence of what it calls a “systemic dismantling of democratic rights.”

The party argued that attempts to portray Khan as dangerous serve only to justify political engineering and suppress public dissent. “Labeling political opponents as security threats is a classic tactic used to legitimize repression,” the statement added.

Analysts note that the relationship between PTI and Pakistan’s military establishment has been deeply strained since Khan’s ouster in 2022, with both sides trading accusations of destabilizing the country. Recent comments from military figures, suggesting that Khan’s rhetoric could endanger national security, have further inflamed the political environment.

PTI warned that such narratives damage Pakistan’s international credibility and deepen internal divides. The party urged the military to “respect constitutional boundaries” and allow democratic processes to function without interference.

As the political climate remains polarized, observers worry that escalating tensions between PTI and the establishment will continue to hinder dialogue and delay any prospects for stability.