The Intercept Exclusive
From Prison, Imran Khan Says Top Pakistani General Betrayed Secret Deal to Stay Out of Politics
• Context:
• Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, from his prison cell, has accused Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir of betraying a secret deal to remain neutral in politics.
• Allegations:
• Khan claims Munir violated an agreement to stay out of politics in exchange for his appointment as army chief.
• Accuses Munir of conspiring with civilian political rivals, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to remove corruption charges against them in exchange for their cooperation against Khan.
• Alleges that Munir ordered assassination attempts on him and covered them up by suppressing investigations and CCTV evidence.
• Political Conflict:
• Khan’s allegations have come amid Munir’s increasing political power and a crackdown on political rivals, activists, and the press.
• The crackdown includes Khan’s removal and imprisonment, violence against his party (PTI), and a rigged election in February.
• International Reactions:
• American officials, including Rep. Ro Khanna, have condemned the targeting of families of pro-democracy activists, calling for sanctions on Pakistani military leaders.
• Assassination Attempts:
• Khan alleges that during a court appearance in March 2023, Munir orchestrated an assassination attempt thwarted by PTI supporters.
• Also points to a November 2022 shooting at a political rally where he was wounded, claiming Munir covered up the involvement of multiple assailants.
• Political Maneuvering:
• Khan claims Munir struck deals with political rivals, including Sharif, to protect them from corruption charges in exchange for their support in jailing Khan and dismantling PTI.
• Despite the crackdown, PTI remains popular, evidenced by significant support in the February elections.
• Current Situation:
• Khan’s legal status is uncertain, with serious charges dismissed but he remains imprisoned on religious grounds related to his marriage.
• The military continues to suppress speech, blocking platforms like X and proposing a national internet firewall.
• Historical Parallels:
• Khan fears the current crisis could lead to a repeat of the 1971 partition, resulting in significant national embarrassment.
theintercept.com
From Prison, Imran Khan Says Top Pakistani General Betrayed Secret Deal to Stay Out of Politics
• Context:
• Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan, from his prison cell, has accused Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir of betraying a secret deal to remain neutral in politics.
• Allegations:
• Khan claims Munir violated an agreement to stay out of politics in exchange for his appointment as army chief.
• Accuses Munir of conspiring with civilian political rivals, including former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to remove corruption charges against them in exchange for their cooperation against Khan.
• Alleges that Munir ordered assassination attempts on him and covered them up by suppressing investigations and CCTV evidence.
• Political Conflict:
• Khan’s allegations have come amid Munir’s increasing political power and a crackdown on political rivals, activists, and the press.
• The crackdown includes Khan’s removal and imprisonment, violence against his party (PTI), and a rigged election in February.
• International Reactions:
• American officials, including Rep. Ro Khanna, have condemned the targeting of families of pro-democracy activists, calling for sanctions on Pakistani military leaders.
• Assassination Attempts:
• Khan alleges that during a court appearance in March 2023, Munir orchestrated an assassination attempt thwarted by PTI supporters.
• Also points to a November 2022 shooting at a political rally where he was wounded, claiming Munir covered up the involvement of multiple assailants.
• Political Maneuvering:
• Khan claims Munir struck deals with political rivals, including Sharif, to protect them from corruption charges in exchange for their support in jailing Khan and dismantling PTI.
• Despite the crackdown, PTI remains popular, evidenced by significant support in the February elections.
• Current Situation:
• Khan’s legal status is uncertain, with serious charges dismissed but he remains imprisoned on religious grounds related to his marriage.
• The military continues to suppress speech, blocking platforms like X and proposing a national internet firewall.
• Historical Parallels:
• Khan fears the current crisis could lead to a repeat of the 1971 partition, resulting in significant national embarrassment.
![theintercept.com](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ftheintercept.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F06%2FGettyImages-1240272208-e1719438538914.jpg%3Ffit%3D2843%252C1421%26w%3D1200%26h%3D800&hash=dc5b6a67de8f48924ee2909fb1a2ec0f&return_error=1)
From Prison, Imran Khan Says Top Pakistani General Betrayed Secret Deal to Stay Out of Politics
Sources close to Imran Khan say he blames top Pakistani general Asim Munir for assassination attempts and cover-ups.
![theintercept.com](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Ftheintercept.com%2Fwp-content%2Fthemes%2Fintercept%2Fassets%2Ficons%2Ffavicon-32x32.png&hash=a6770296840a8c147355af6f4e31700a&return_error=1)