Maps
Magazine

POLITICS & POLICY MAKING

Tallal Chaudhry Says PTI’s “Unjustified” Army Criticism Forced Institution to Respond
State Minister Tallal Chaudhry says PTI’s “unjustified” criticism pushed the army to break its silence. He accuses Imran Khan of attacking institutions for political gain and warns that such actions “will not be tolerated.”
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-12-08
Tallal Chaudhry Says PTI’s “Unjustified” Army Criticism Forced Institution to Respond

Chaudhry accused the PTI leadership — including its jailed founder Imran Khan — of repeatedly criticising the army and its top brass for political mileage. He rejected the party’s stance that the army interferes in national politics, asserting instead that PTI itself attempts to “drag the army into politics” for its own benefit.

“You direct unjustified and unnecessary criticism at them. You level allegations without any reason,” Chaudhry said, adding that the army “has been serving the country” and recently “defeated a big power,” an apparent reference to heightened tensions with India in May.

The minister said the military takes pride in its martyrs and its role in safeguarding Pakistan, yet PTI continues to target the institution. “For how long will the institution remain silent? Eventually, it had to respond. The PTI pushed them to respond,” he added.

Chaudhry maintained that while the army endured criticism for a long time, the PTI founder’s regular statements — delivered through tweets, messages, and his visitors at Adiala jail — crossed a line. He further claimed that the PTI has shown softness toward terrorists while directing all criticism at state institutions.

Warnings to PTI

Issuing a stern warning, the state minister said that those “speaking the language of the enemy” or attacking institutions would now be silenced through legal action. Referring to PTI’s protests near Adiala jail, he said the party should expect strict enforcement of the law if any disturbance occurs.

“It cannot be that you disturb peace, create chaos, and it is all tolerated,” he said.

He also warned that if protests escalate near the prison, authorities might relocate inmates to ensure their safety. Chaudhry alleged that PTI’s attempts to mobilise supporters were aimed at provoking unrest.

Criticism of PTI Governance

The minister also questioned PTI’s political performance, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the party has governed for more than a decade. He mocked the party’s electoral setbacks and warned that its criticism of the army would “not be tolerated now.”

Chaudhry further alleged that the KP chief minister was replaced in October because the previous chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur, refused to comply with Imran Khan’s instructions. He claimed the new CM and the provincial government were being used in attempts to organise “jailbreaks and riots” to help Imran escape legal consequences.

“This will not happen now. KP’s resources will be used for KP,” he asserted, citing a Peshawar High Court ruling that provincial resources cannot be used for political purposes.

Backdrop of Rising Tensions

Chaudhry’s remarks come amid a wave of criticism by government officials directed at the PTI, following a hard-hitting press conference by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on December 5. During that briefing, the army spokesperson accused Imran Khan of promoting “anti-army rhetoric” and attempting to destabilise national institutions.

The press conference followed fresh allegations by Imran Khan — relayed through his sister Uzma Khan during a rare jail visit — in which he attacked the military leadership, reigniting tensions between PTI and the establishment.
Tagged:

PTI

ImranKhan

PakistanPolitics

TallalChaudhry
Share News: