In a recent development, former Prime Minister Imran Khan has responded strongly to reports suggesting that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir demanded an apology from him over the May 9, 2023 riots. These reports were swiftly denied by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army. The ISPR clarified that neither did the army chief make any political statements during his stopover in Brussels nor did he mention any apology. The ISPR termed the claims as “irresponsible” and attributed them to personal motives of the journalist involved.
In response to these developments, Imran Khan, currently incarcerated in Adiala Jail, addressed the issue during a casual interaction with journalists on August 26, 2025. He categorically rejected the notion of apologizing, stating,
“Asim Munir has an insatiable hunger for power, which is why he has imposed the worst form of dictatorship. Instead of demanding that I apologize, Asim Munir should apologize to me. The events of May 9th (2023) were orchestrated by the same person who stole the CCTV footage. At present, May 9th has become Asim Munir’s insurance policy,”
The May 9, 2023 riots were a series of violent protests that erupted across Pakistan following the arrest of Imran Khan. Supporters of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), clashed with security forces, leading to significant damage to public and private properties, including attacks on military installations. The military and the government have since labeled these events as acts of terrorism and have called for accountability.
Imran Khan, however, has consistently denied any involvement in orchestrating the violence. He maintains that he was unaware of the scale of the unrest until he was presented before the Supreme Court. He has also condemned the attacks on military installations and martyrs, distancing himself and his party from the violence.
Allegations of Family Harassment and Personal Persecution
During his interaction with journalists, Imran Khan also highlighted what he termed as personal persecution by the military establishment. He alleged that his family members, including his nephews Shahrez and Shershah Khan, had been abducted despite having no involvement in politics. Khan claimed that his nephew Shahrez, an accomplished athlete, was forcibly taken away, and he himself was being held in solitary confinement under deplorable conditions.
He further alleged that his wife, Bushra Bibi, had been subjected to solitary confinement for the past eight months and was enduring physical and psychological abuse. Khan accused Asim Munir of being behind these actions, stating,
“In their extreme fascism and oppression, they continue to target non-political members of my family. My two nephews, Shahrez and Shershah Khan, have been abducted despite having no involvement in politics. My nephew Shahrez Khan, who is an excellent athlete, was forcibly taken away. I am being held in complete solitary confinement.
Over a period of three months, I have been allowed only three meetings. Even meetings with my lawyers and family are blocked for months at a time. All of this is being done to pressure me. For the past eight months, my wife, Bushra Bibi, has also been held in solitary confinement. Such treatment of women is unprecedented in the history of Pakistan, not even under Yahya Khan.
Faisal Vawda, who acts as a mouthpiece of the establishment, issued statements that Bushra Bibi would seek separation from me. She was pressured to do so, but she stood firmly by my side. Previously, when Asim Munir was removed from the post of DG ISI, he attempted to contact Bushra Bibi through Zulfi Bukhari, but she refused. That is why she is being subjected to such cruel treatment today. She is kept in solitary confinement under deplorable conditions, where she has suffered electric shocks and physical wounds. She is provided polluted water to use. Every form of cruelty is being inflicted upon her,”
Determined to Haqeeqi Azadi
Despite the challenges and alleged injustices he faces, Imran Khan remains resolute in his commitment to his cause. He reiterated his pledge to continue his struggle for ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ (genuine freedom), stating that no amount of pressure or persecution would make him bow down. He emphasized that he would not accept tyranny and would persist in his efforts to bring about meaningful change in Pakistan.
“Asim Munir is behind all this. He has neither morality nor an understanding of Islam. My message to him is this: no matter which member of my family you imprison to increase pressure on me, I will neither bow down nor accept this tyranny. I will continue my struggle for Haqeeqi Azadi (genuine freedom), no matter what,”
Imran Khan also took aim at the current political and judicial systems in Pakistan. He accused the judiciary of being subservient and complicit in the alleged injustices faced by him and his party. He claimed that the police were being used as a tool of oppression against PTI members, leading to a rise in crime and unemployment across the country.
He further alleged that corrupt individuals had been imposed upon the nation and that the judiciary had failed to take action against human rights violations. Khan emphasized that the rule of law had collapsed and that the judiciary had become entirely subservient, with judges acting without conscience.
“Whenever dictatorship takes hold, it does so by colluding with judges. At present, due to shameless judges, the rule of law in Pakistan has completely collapsed. After the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the judiciary has become entirely subservient. These judges without a conscience do not take action against human rights violations. If our judges acted upon their conscience, provided justice to the people of Pakistan, and feared accountability before Allah on the Day of Judgment, then such tyranny would never have been possible. These conscienceless judges are equally complicit in this injustice and oppression.”
