Islamabad: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Rana Sanaullah claimed on Thursday that the letters written by incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan to Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir were merely an attempt to “spread anti-army propaganda.”
His remarks came hours after the army chief denied receiving any letter from the jailed former premier. Earlier in the day, in an informal interaction with the media, the army chief stated he would not “read the letter even if I receive it.”
Rana Sanaullah responded by saying, “The army chief has given a brief and comprehensive response to Khan’s open letters.” He termed the letters a “narrative against the Pakistan Army” and claimed, “Everyone understands the tricks of the PTI founder.”
The Prime Minister’s aide further explained that Khan’s letters were an attempt to spread propaganda, as they were first released to the media. He added that Khan might have received a response if the letters had not been made public.
Sanaullah emphasized that such actions would not benefit PTI in reopening backdoor talks, stating, “They have no intention to retract or apologize for their anti-military narrative or the May 9 incidents.”
In a separate interview with Geo News, PTI’s parliamentary leader Senator Ali Zafar said, “This is an open letter; its purpose is not to expect a response from anyone.” He explained that as a former prime minister, it was Khan’s right to point out faults.
Imran Khan, who has been behind bars since August 2023 facing multiple charges including corruption and terrorism, wrote three open letters to the COAS. In his third letter, Khan reiterated allegations of election rigging, claiming that “money launderers” were brought into power through manipulated elections.
In his previous letters, Khan pointed out what he described as a growing distance between the military and the public. His letters suggested six points for the army to reconsider its policy in order to improve its relationship with the people.
These letters gained significance after PTI ended its negotiations with the PML-N-led government last month, demanding the formation of judicial commissions to investigate events of May 9, 2023, and November 24-27, as well as the release of “all political prisoners,” including Khan.
