Pak Army Spokesman winks at woman reporter during presser, sparks widespread backlash

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), is facing widespread backlash after a video from a press briefing showed him winking at journalist Absa Koman following a question about jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Koman had asked about allegations branding Khan a 'national security threat' and 'anti-state,' to which Chaudhry replied, “Add a fourth point: he is also a zehni mareez, i.e., a mental patient,” before smiling and winking at her.

The moment triggered outrage on social media, with users calling it unprofessional and a sign of Pakistan’s deteriorating democratic environment. One user wrote, “Democracy is over in Pakistan. PM is a puppet,” while another called the situation “a meme of a nation.”

Chaudhry has intensified criticism of Khan in recent days, describing him as a “narcissist” whose political ambitions have grown extreme. He alleged that individuals visiting Khan in prison were being used “to spread poison against the army,” accusing the former prime minister of attempting to incite hostility toward the military.

Reiterating long-standing accusations, Chaudhry linked Khan to the May 9, 2023, attacks on military installations, including the Rawalpindi headquarters. Khan, however, has denied orchestrating the violence.

ALSO READ:Pakistan’s push for new provinces sparks debate, experts warn of deeper crisis ahead

The exchange came after Khan posted on X, calling Army Chief General Asim Munir “mentally unstable” and accusing him of presiding over the collapse of constitutional order in Pakistan.