Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), is facing strong criticism online after a video surfaced of him winking at journalist Absa Komal during a press briefing. The moment came right after she questioned him about comments and allegations made against jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Question That Triggered the Reaction
During the briefing, Absa Komal asked Chaudhry about repeated claims by the establishment that Imran Khan was a 'national security threat', 'anti-state', and acting 'at the hands of Delhi'. She also asked whether the situation was any different from the past or if any developments could be expected in the future.
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Responding to the question, Chaudhry added another label to the list, saying: 'And add a fourth point: he is also a zehni mareez (mental patient).' After making the remark, he smiled and gave a quick wink toward Komal, which immediately went viral on social media and sparked widespread criticism.
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Chaudhry Faces Backlash On Social Media
One user commented 'This is openly happening in the presence of a camera. Democracy is over in Pakistan. PM is a puppet'. Another user wrote 'what a shameful action'.
Strong Remarks Against Imran Khan
Later, Chaudhry continued his criticism of Khan without directly naming him. He referred to the former PM as a 'narcissist' whose political ambitions had grown so extreme that he believed, 'If I am not in power, nothing else should exist.'
He also accused people visiting Khan in jail of being used to 'spread poison against the army', adding that Khan was trying to incite public hostility toward the military. Chaudhry stressed that while constitutional rights exist, they come with limits specially when national security is at risk.
Linking Khan to May 9 Attacks
Reiterating the military’s long-standing allegations, Chaudhry again linked Imran Khan to the May 9, 2023, attacks on military sites, including the Rawalpindi headquarters. 'Was it not this same individual who orchestrated those attacks?' he said.
The May 9 violence erupted after Khan’s arrest, when thousands of supporters stormed government and military compounds. Khan, however, has consistently denied planning or encouraging the unrest.
Khan Responds with Harsh Words
The ISPR chief’s comments came just after Imran Khan posted on X, calling Army Chief General Asim Munir a “mentally unstable person” and accusing him of causing the “collapse of the Constitution and rule of law in Pakistan.”
The escalating war of words reflects the deepening tensions between the former prime minister and the military establishment tensions that continue to shape Pakistan’s political landscape.