ISLAMABAD: Pakistani officials have dismissed the purported letter attributed to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan—which appeared in a section of the international press—as both questionable and misleading.
“Imran Khan is imprisoned on corruption convictions and is in no position to author or disseminate such statements,” a government official said, requesting anonymity.
In a purported letter from prison, Imran Khan, had condemned an intensifying “authoritarian crackdown” on PTI supporters. Accusing the ruling government and military of diverting resources away from combating terrorism, persecuting political opponents, and undermining the judiciary’s independence.
The official stated that employing his name in this context appears to be a deliberate attempt to attract undue attention. “Far from a persecuted figure, Mr. Khan was lawfully held accountable for his actions. Portraying him as a lone voice against tyranny distracts from his conviction,” he said.
Rather than fostering genuine democratic discourse, this letter seems like a hollow attempt to exploit his name, to mask political motives, and mislead both domestic and international audiences, he concluded.
The letter
In the controversial letter, Khan claimed that PTI supporters were facing unjust trials, detentions, and harassment, warning that continued oppression threatens Pakistan’s economic prospects and its preferential trade status.
He also sought international community’s intervention to help “restore” democracy and stability.
From power to prison
The cricketer-turned-politician, Imran Khan, rose to power after the 2018 general elections, which were marred by allegations of massive rigging. Subsequently, he served as prime minister from August 2018 to April 2022 before being ousted through a no-confidence vote in the Parliament.
Imran Khan’s three-and-a-half-year tenure is widely regarded as a failure on the economic front, as the country struggled with rising inflation, a widening fiscal deficit, and economic instability.
Besides, Pakistan’s diplomatic ties with its time-tested allies, especially China and Saudi Arabia, hit their lowest point as Imran Khan’s government failed to handle foreign affairs effectively, resulting in the country’s isolation on the international level.
During his tenure, misgovernance and corruption became widespread, severely impacting the country’s political and economic stability. Despite his initial promises of establishing a corruption-free administration, his government faced numerous allegations of financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and favouritism.
The accountability drive, which was initially launched to root out corruption, was widely criticised for being politically motivated, targeting opposition leaders while turning a blind eye to irregularities within Khan’s own party and government.
Additionally, Khan’s confrontational approach toward political opponents and institutions, including the judiciary and the military, further deepened the crisis. His administration failed to foster consensus or build strong coalitions, leading to a governance vacuum that exacerbated instability.
As a result, Pakistan not only suffered from economic decline but also saw a weakening of its democratic institutions, eroding public trust in the government’s ability to lead effectively.
Moreover, Khan’s removal followed tensions with the country’s military, which had once been seen as a key backer of his government. He, however, alleged that his ouster was the result of a US-backed conspiracy, a claim widely dismissed by both Washington and Pakistani authorities.
Following his removal, Khan led a series of mass protests, demanding early elections, further escalating tensions between his party and the State. On May 9, 2023, his arrest in a corruption case triggered violent nationwide protests, with PTI supporters storming military installations, including the army headquarters—General Headquarters (GHQ)—in Rawalpindi and the residence of a corps commander in Lahore.
