Lahore:

Imran Khan, the former prime minister currently imprisoned, commented on Army Secretary Asim Munir’s recent promotion to Field Marshal, suggesting that a title of “king” would be more fitting given the current state of governance in Pakistan, which he described as being ruled by “jungle law.”

General Munir was elevated to the rank of Field Marshal on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone as he is only the second military leader in the country’s history to achieve this position following his role in the recent tensions with India.

Khan expressed, “Honestly, it might be more appropriate to call him ‘king’ instead. The laws of this country seem to apply only to the weak now.” He emphasized that rumors regarding negotiations or deals involving him were completely false, stating, “There is no dealing, no dialogue. These are baseless lies.” Still, he did invite military officials to discuss national interests if they genuinely cared about Pakistan’s future.

“We are grappling with external threats, rising terrorism, and an economic crisis. It’s crucial to unite. I’ve never asked for anything and I won’t now,” he said.

He also cautioned the Shebaz Sharif government to be prepared for potential military engagements with India, noting that Pakistan has changed to a point where justice is not being served uniformly.

The situation, he claimed, represents a significant decline in the essence of democracy. Khan criticized the perception that those with more significant power and influence face less consequence, stating, “When the larger thieves hold higher office, justice is being undermined.” He lamented that over the past three years, the ethical and constitutional foundations of Pakistan have crumbled.

Khan referred to ongoing legal challenges, mentioning the resumption of unusual trials and expressing frustration over the limitations imposed on his family and lawyers. He stated that his supporters are not allowed to visit him.

He also mentioned recent drone attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging the provincial government to publicly protest these actions and take steps to stop them, warning that targeting innocent civilians won’t diminish terrorism but rather fuel it further. “After years of struggle, we managed to halt American drone operations in Pakistan,” he concluded.