Imran Khan accuses Pakistan’s military of trying to destroy his party

The former prime minister said New Delhi once used to tell the world that there is no democracy in Pakistan and no leader to talk, and now the country is again back in that era. Khan said the country is under dictatorship amid an ongoing crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf after May 9 riots.

In an interview to Reuters Khan said, “It is completely the establishment” who was behind the crackdown. “Establishment obviously means the military establishment, because they are really now openly — I mean, it’s not even hidden now — they’re just out in the open.”

Khan termed the violent protests, which erupted after he was briefly arrested, a “false flag operation” meant to target him.

The former prime minister said ISI, Pakistan’s most powerful spy agency, was deeply involved in the crackdown. Khan said two senior members of his party were called by the ISI for talks. “And when they went there, just they shut them up and said ‘You (won’t) leave unless you renounce being part of PTI.”

The military court, which is usually reserved for service members or the enemies of the state, has begun the process of trying dozens of people, including members of his party, for involvement in the protests. 

“That’s the only way they are going to get me into prison,” Khan said, adding that the military wanted to stop him from returning to power in elections due by November.

The former prime minister said about 150 criminal cases filed against him were frivolous and would get thrown out in any civilian court.

“So their only hope, and because they are determined to get me out of the way, I think they will, their whole charade of military courts is to imprison me,” Khan said.

“I have absolutely no doubt that the military courts are meant for me,” said Khan, who is out on bail.

Updated: 06 Jun 2023, 03:08 AM IST