ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif strongly criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) for its response to a press conference by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
In this regard, Lt Gen Chaudhry, without naming Imran, referred to the former prime minister as “a mentally ill person”, “a narcissist” and “a security risk”. He accused the PTI of promoting a narrative in order to undermine the armed forces and destabilising national institutions.
Furthermore, Asif said the PTI had no grounds to object to the ISPR’s comments, recalling that Imran himself had frequently used “harsh and derogatory language” against political opponents in the past.
He alleged that even now, Imran, currently imprisoned continued to issue statements on social media that the minister described as inappropriate.
“If the DG ISPR has given a reaction, it is a very guarded reaction,” Asif remarked.
Moreover, the defence minister accused the PTI of promoting an “anti-state” narrative and failing to acknowledge the sacrifices of the armed forces. He noted that he had attended the funerals of multiple soldiers who lost their lives in the fight against terrorism, but had never seen PTI representatives present.
In addition, he urged the party to “speak in favour of martyrs and not terrorists”, warning that adopting a softer stance toward militant groups would inevitably invite criticism.
Asif added that while the military’s spokesperson had been “careful” with his words, he himself was free to give a more direct response.
Meanwhile, Asif questioned the party’s “sense of patriotism”, accusing PTI leaders of “engaging with the enemy”. He further alleged that the party’s “only ideology” was to secure political power, without demonstrating loyalty to the country.
The minister also criticised the PTI for what he described as its silence during recent tensions with India.
He said that while neighbouring countries expressed solidarity with Pakistan over the loss of soldiers, the PTI “played no role” in supporting the state.
