In a shocking incident, Pakistan’s Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has come under intense public scrutiny after a video circulated online allegedly showing him winking at journalist Absa Komal during a press conference. The moment occurred as Komal questioned him over his repeated accusations against jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, including branding him a “national security threat” and “anti-state.”

Believe me, he is a top rank army officer in uniform…. pic.twitter.com/GDjduiCY8m

— OsintTV 📺 (@OsintTV) December 9, 2025

Although several news outlets noted they could not independently verify the video, the clip spread rapidly on X, prompting widespread criticism. Many users condemned the gesture as unprofessional and inappropriate, arguing that such conduct from a senior military official undermines the seriousness of the briefing.

Chaudhry’s Remark Escalates Tension

During the exchange, Komal challenged Chaudhry over his rhetoric toward Khan and the alleged misuse of national security terminology in Pakistan’s political discourse. In response, Chaudhry added a fourth label to his list of accusations, calling Khan a “zehni mareez” (mental patient), followed by a smile and the widely discussed wink.

She questioned Ahmed for calling Imran Khan a “national security threat,” “anti-state,” and acting “at the hands of Delhi.” “How is it different from the past, and should we be expecting any future developments related to this?” she asked. On this, Ahmed winked at the journalist and said that he also added a fourth point, “zehni mareez” (mental patient). Hindustan Times could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

Social media users condemned the interaction, with some claiming it reflected poorly on the military’s image. Comments ranged from accusing Chaudhry of lacking professionalism to questioning the broader conduct of Pakistan’s armed forces.

The gesture triggered immediate outrage. “He’s not a professional soldier,” one user posted on X.

Another X user wrote, “This shows how unprofessional their army is. How can someone in uniform wink like this publicly?”

A third added, “And he is the General of the Pakistan Army… No wonder the state of affairs they are in.”

Fresh Attacks on Imran Khan

The controversy follows Chaudhry’s latest briefing, in which he renewed sharp criticism of Imran Khan. The ISPR chief accused the former prime minister of fuelling anti-army narratives, calling him a “narcissist” and a “mentally sick person.” He warned that such alleged attempts to undermine the military “will no longer be tolerated.”

Chaudhry insisted that the military’s media wing must step in to “clarify and remove ambiguities,” stressing that anyone attacking the armed forces “with ego or delusion” will face firm resistance. He also ruled out any negotiations with militant outfits such as the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).

Imran Khan’s Family Raises Alarm Over Custody

The timing of the backlash coincides with heightened concerns from Imran Khan’s family over his treatment in prison. His sisters reportedly staged a sit-in outside Adiala Jail, claiming they were denied their weekly meeting with him. They described his isolation as unlawful and politically motivated, further amplifying criticism of the country’s security institutions.

Broader Scrutiny on Military and Political Power Dynamics

Amid rising tensions, Chaudhry’s confrontational press appearances, and resurfaced reports about his family background, have added to the storm surrounding the military’s expanding role in Pakistan’s political sphere. Observers note that the wink incident, though small in isolation, has fed into a larger debate over accountability, civil-military relations, and the credibility of official narratives at a time of deep political polarization.

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