Imran Khan Tried to Block Asim Munir’s Appointment Despite Injury, Says Senator Irfan Siddiqui

Lahore – Senior Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader and parliamentary party head in the Senate, Senator Irfan Siddiqui, has claimed that Imran Khan attempted to block General Syed Asim Munir’s appointment as Army Chief by leading a long march to Islamabad, despite having an injured leg. However, he added, the public did not support his efforts.
In an interview with a private news channel (ARY), Siddiqui criticized the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, saying the party has lost its momentum and is now incapable of launching any significant political movement.
He contrasted PTI’s treatment of its opponents during its time in power with the current government’s approach. “Imran Khan jailed political opponents in false cases like heroin smuggling, ephedrine, sedition, and tenancy violations,” Siddiqui said. “We have not resorted to such tactics.”
He questioned how Imran Khan, who failed to achieve anything significant even at the height of his popularity while leading protests himself, could now lead a movement from jail. “When he was out of jail and leading rallies, what did he accomplish? Now from behind bars, what does he expect to achieve?”
Siddiqui accused PTI of having come to power without real political struggle, saying the party was “raised on patronage” and brought into power by the military establishment. “Imran Khan was treated like a favorite child—he walked freely into courtrooms despite being a proclaimed offender, sat with legs crossed in front of the Supreme Court, and was welcomed with ‘good to see you’ by judges,” he remarked.
Referring to Khan’s past remarks about military officials, Siddiqui noted, “First he called them Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq. Now he’s calling them Pharaoh and Yazid, and mocking them as ‘kings of the jungle.’”
He ridiculed Khan’s tendency to cast himself in a messianic light: “If a thorn pricks his foot and a drop of blood falls, he likens himself to Imam Hussain and others to Yazid.”
Regarding PTI’s prospects of launching a political movement, Siddiqui said the party has lost its strength, especially after the events of May 9. “They have only created more problems for themselves and will gain nothing from it.”
He argued that PTI is not structured for meaningful negotiations or democratic processes, and lacks the ideological foundation to form effective political alliances. “Even leaders like Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai have had bitter experiences with PTI,” he noted.
Responding to Khan’s call for youth to rise and face imprisonment alongside him, Siddiqui asked, “Why should the youth put their futures at risk for your mistakes? You are in jail because of your actions. Why should others suffer for your sins?”