Crescent International
Pakistan’s most popular political leader Imran Khan has languished in a filthy prison cell for more than three years.
His crime?
He wants to make Pakistan truly independent, end corruption and help the needy and poor.
For the corrupt elite, these are major sins. So, Khan must be punished.
Asim Munir, the Pakistani Caligula, is directly responsible for this.
Since most Pakistanis, too cosumed by self-importance, are unlikely to know who Caligula is, let us end their misery.
His real name was Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, but was nicknamed Caligula (meaning “little boot”).
He ruled from 37 CE until his murder in 41 CE.
Caligula was cruel, sadistic, extravagant, a sexual pervert and ultimately went mad.
He not only murdered people but also demanded worship as a living god, humiliated the Senate, and planned to make his horse a consul.
This should help the Pakistanis to understand why we say Munir is Caligula.
Like the mad Roman emperor of old, the gods of Rawalpindi also demand people worship them.
Donald Trump calls Munir his “favourite field marshal”.
That explains where Munir’s loyalties are; he is a traitor to Pakistan.
Why does Trump, a convicted felon, child rapist, crook, compulsive liar and a failed businessman, praise Munir so much?
Trump is using him for his own nefarious agenda.
It is Munir’s role inside Pakistan that is even more troubling.
He is directly responsible for Imran Khan’s torture and that of countless others.
Held in solitary confinement in Adiala Jail, Khan is treated worse than a convicted killer.
An army colonel serves as de facto head of the prison and orders prison authorities on how to torture Khan.
For more than 10 months, the former prime minister was denied family, doctor or lawyers’ visits.
His wife, Bushra Bibi, also held in the same prison, has not been allowed to meet her husband.
His wife’s incarceration is part of the mental torture inflicted on Khan.
It was only this month that his two sisters were finally allowed to meet him, briefly.
Despite being physically and emotionally strong, the 73-year-old Khan’s health has deteriorated sharply.
The family’s repeated appeals to the Supreme Court were finally heard on August 18.
A three-judge bench ruled that Khan be moved to the private Shifa International Hospital within two days.
Further, that he be granted weekly family visits and twice-weekly calls with his sons.
These are allowed to every prisoner.
The court also ordered that his personal physician and sister, also a doctor, be allowed to take part in his medical care.
A cardiac board review found Khan had fluctuating blood pressure and anxiety.
This was attributed to his prolonged incarceration in isolation.
In violation of the court order which amounts to contempt of court, Khan was taken to a government hospital, PIMS (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences).
After a brief check-up, he was returned to jail on August 20.
His personal physician was not allowed to check him nor his sisters allowed to see him again.
His two sons have also not been allowed to speak to their father despite the court order.
Khan’s party has since filed a contempt petition.
PIMS hit the headlines again when 14 new-born babies were burnt alive in its maternity ward on August 26.
The early morning fire started in an airconditioning unit and burnt to death so many infants because almost all exit doors were locked.
Firefighters took two hours to arrive, according to the father of one of the dead babies.
Neither the hospital staff nor the regime care about the deaths of new-born babies, or anybody else.
As is customary, an investigation committee was established that will report to the prime minister.
Perhaps, some compensation will be paid to the victims’ families and a few officials suspended for a brief period.
Then the horrific tragedy will be forgotten.
Pakistan’s ‘civilian’ regime carries out the orders of army chief Asim Munir.
He occupies this position illegally.
Munir elevated himself to the rank of ‘field marshal’ after a brief skirmish with India in May 2025.
It was mainly aerial combat but Munir hogged all the publicity.
In addition to awarding himself a medal for ‘bravery’ for a war he did not fight, he also became the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), lording over all three services.
He now has the ‘authority’ to dismiss any armed forces personnel whether in the army, air force or navy.
Despite accumulating so much power in his grubby hands, Munir is still scared.
He is essentially a prisoner of the prisoner (Imran Khan) and would like to see him physically eliminated.
The only thing holding him back is people’s reaction.
He is not sure if he and his henchmen will be able to contain public anger after such a dastardly crime.
In the meantime, Pakistan’s Caligula continues his murderous spree killing innocent people in Balochistan, KP and Azad Kashmir.
He does not care if this leads to the country’s disintegration.
After all, the army caused the breakup of Pakistan and shamelessly surrendered to the invading Indian army in Dhaka in December 1971.
No general or colonel has ever been held accountable for such humiliating surrender.
