1 hour ago
Last Updated:November 29, 2025, 05:28 IST
Dr Salman Ahmed specifically labelled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former President Asif Ali Zardari as nothing more than 'puppets of Asim Munir'
The focus of Dr Salman Ahmed's attack was the prolonged detention and treatment of Imran Khan in Adiala Jail. File pic
The deepening political crisis in Pakistan was starkly articulated by Dr Salman Ahmed, a close confidante and key associate of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an exclusive interview with CNN-News18. Dr Ahmed launched a blistering attack on the country’s military establishment, particularly Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Army Chief and newly appointed Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), accusing him of orchestrating a total systemic takeover and deliberately subjecting Khan to torture.
Dr Ahmed asserted that Pakistan is currently operating under “Asim Law", where the Army Chief’s authority overrides constitutional and judicial frameworks. “Parliament, judiciary, police, and government, all are controlled by Asim Munir," Dr Ahmed claimed, arguing that the country’s core democratic institutions have been thoroughly compromised. He specifically labelled Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former President Asif Ali Zardari as nothing more than “puppets of Asim Munir", holding nominal power while the military exercises ultimate command.
The focus of Dr Ahmed’s attack was the prolonged detention and treatment of Imran Khan in Adiala Jail. He alleged that “Asim Munir is testing the waters by torturing Imran Khan" and has been doing so “from day one in jail". He maintained that Khan’s continued incarceration is solely a reflection of the Army Chief’s deep-seated fear of Imran Khan’s “unmatched popularity", despite the severe state crackdown on his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Highlighting the inhumane conditions of the imprisonment, Dr Ahmed stressed that while Khan is a “political detainee", he is “not given the rights of a prisoner, forget about a former Prime Minister’s right". This aligns with repeated allegations from PTI leaders that Khan is being kept in solitary confinement and denied access to family, lawyers, and doctors, in violation of prison manuals and court orders—a persistent issue that fuels nationwide rumours about his health and safety.
In a defiant declaration, Dr Ahmed warned of impending mass upheaval, asserting that the Pakistani populace has reached its limit with the alleged systemic oppression. “Soon people of Pakistan will hit the streets, and they will be going to Adiala Jail to free Imran Khan," he predicted, suggesting that the public’s defiance of the prevailing military control will be the ultimate undoing of the current “Asim Law". This rhetoric underscores the deep polarisation between the PTI’s popular support base and the consolidated authority of the military establishment under Field Marshal Munir.
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
First Published:
November 29, 2025, 05:28 IST
News world 'Asim Law' Prevails: Imran Khan's Aide Alleges Torture, Total Military Control In Pakistan | Exclusive
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
