Imran Khan Could Face Treason Charges and Possible Execution if He Challenges the Pakistani Army, Warns Government

The civilian administration of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has delivered a strong caution to jailed ex-premier Imran Khan, days after a tense stand-off erupted between Pakistan’s establishment and PTI supporters over alleged threats to Khan’s life. According to official sources, Senator Rana Sanaullah — a key government advisor — said on Monday that filing treason charges against the PTI founder “cannot be ruled out.”

Sanaullah warned that ignoring the gravity of the situation could lead to “serious consequences” for PTI leadership, signaling a dramatic escalation in the state’s messaging regarding Imran Khan’s alleged actions.

This latest development comes less than a week after Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), accused Khan of constructing and spreading an “anti-army narrative” that he described as a direct “National Security threat.” On Tuesday, Chaudhry himself drew criticism online after a clip of him winking at a journalist during a press briefing went viral, triggering social media backlash.

Tensions intensified on Tuesday when PTI supporters clashed with authorities over access for Khan’s sisters at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. Although Tuesday was a court-approved visitation day, local police blocked all roads leading to the prison, preventing the meeting and fueling further anger within the PTI camp.

In a detailed analysis published in Pakistan’s Dawn, senior journalist Zahid Hussain observed that branding political rivals as “traitors” has long been embedded in the nation’s power politics. He noted that several high-profile leaders, including former heads of state, have faced similar accusations. Hussain said the ISPR’s recent remarks — describing Imran Khan as having a “delusional mindset” and categorizing him as a “security threat” — fit into this historical pattern.

Under Pakistan’s Constitution, any attempt to “abrogate, subvert, suspend, or hold the Constitution in abeyance” through unlawful means constitutes treason, a crime punishable by life imprisonment or death. Former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf was convicted of high treason in 2019 for suspending the Constitution during the 2007 emergency.

SHARIF GOVERNMENT ENDORSES ISPR POSITION, SUGGESTS POSSIBLE TREASON CASE AGAINST IMRAN KHAN

According to Pakistan’s Geo News, Rana Sanaullah emphasized on Monday that the ISPR DG’s recent warnings were “clear” and had been “fully endorsed” by the Sharif government. He reiterated in a media interview that the possibility of filing treason charges against the PTI founder “cannot be dismissed.”

Sanaullah accused PTI of creating “instability” across the country and claimed that the same narratives echoed by extremists responsible for the March Jaffer Express train hijacking were simultaneously circulated by “Indian, Afghan and PTI-linked media.”

He added that the tone of Imran Khan’s recent social media post — shared after a jail visit from his sister — was “inflammatory,” further reinforcing the government’s belief that PTI’s rhetoric poses risks. He warned that speeches made during PTI gatherings would soon “reach the relevant authorities,” who would respond firmly.

Mocking PTI’s shrinking political space, Sanaullah remarked that the party was becoming “Adiala Tehreek-e-Insaf,” implying that its leadership was increasingly confined to prison. He suggested that most PTI members would eventually abandon what he described as the party’s “reckless” and confrontational strategy.

GOVT WARNING FOLLOWS ISPR’S LABELING OF IMRAN KHAN AS A ‘NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT’

Sanaullah’s warning came just days after DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry condemned the former prime minister as a “national security threat.” According to The Express Tribune, Chaudhry warned that no individual would be allowed to provoke the public against the armed forces, emphasizing that such actions crossed critical red lines.

Chaudhry asserted that Imran Khan’s relentless “anti-army rhetoric” had escalated far beyond political criticism, directly undermining Pakistan’s security interests. He added that the establishment viewed PTI’s messaging as a “creeping national security threat” that required immediate intervention.

In a pointed remark addressed to Khan, Chaudhry asked rhetorically: “Who are you? What message are you trying to convey? Who do you think you are?” underscoring the military’s frustration with PTI’s aggressive posture.

GROWING CRISIS: IMRAN KHAN VS ASIM MUNIR SHOWDOWN DEEPENS PAKISTAN’S INSTABILITY

As of December 2025, Pakistan has entered a period of intense political volatility as the confrontation between Imran Khan — imprisoned since 2023 — and Field Marshal Asim Munir intensifies. Munir, now the unified chief of all armed forces with constitutional immunity, has centralized unprecedented levels of authority.

From his prison cell, Imran Khan has accused Munir of being a “mentally unstable dictator” responsible for widespread repression, including alleged killings and mistreatment of political opponents. Khan has vowed he will not negotiate with what he calls the “Asim Law regime.” In response, the military has labeled Khan “mentally ill” and a direct threat to Pakistan’s stability.

The crisis deepened after the controversial 27th Constitutional Amendment — passed in November 2025 — granted Munir lifetime rank, sweeping powers, and immunity, effectively institutionalizing military dominance and sharply restricting judicial oversight.

Meanwhile, militant attacks and separatist violence have spiked across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, as insurgent groups intensify assaults on state institutions amid the nationwide power struggle.

Imran Khan has been held at Adiala Jail since August 2023 after his arrest in multiple graft cases. In January 2025, he was convicted of leaking state secrets in the Cipher case and received an additional 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.

The rift between Asim Munir and Imran Khan dates back to 2019, when Khan removed Munir as ISI chief after just eight months. Relations have since deteriorated into an open confrontation, now shaping Pakistan’s political trajectory.

With extreme polarization, rising insurgencies, and the military’s consolidation of power, Pakistan is entering one of the most uncertain and volatile periods in its recent history.