Pakistan's Imran Khan straightforwardly blames military for attempting to obliterate his party,
Previous Pakistani Top state leader Imran Khan stops as he talks with Reuters during a meeting, in Lahore, Pakistan Walk 17, 2023.
Imran Khan, Pakistan's embattled former prime minister, told Reuters on June 4 that he had "no doubt" he would be tried in a military court and thrown in jail. He had accused the powerful military and its intelligence agency of openly trying to destroy his political party.
Although Khan had previously hinted that the military would be involved in a crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, his remarks in an interview on Saturday night at his home in Lahore were the most direct he had ever been.
When asked who was behind the crackdown, the former cricket hero told Reuters, "It is completely the establishment." The military establishment is obviously meant by the term "establishment" because they are now really openly - I don't even mean that they are now hidden - they are just out in the open.
A request for comment was not answered by a spokesman for the military, which has run the country directly or indirectly for 75 years and has rarely been publicly challenged like Khan has.
According to polls, Khan, Pakistan's most popular leader, has been at odds with the army for the past year. This conflict came to a head last month when military properties and buildings were allegedly looted by his supporters.
The 220 million-strong nuclear-armed nation's political unrest has increased uncertainty as well as financial turmoil. Its economy, worth $350 billion, is struggling to avoid default, keep record levels of inflation under control, and deal with a falling currency.
Following his brief arrest, Khan described the violent protests as a "false flag operation" designed to target him.
The process of trying dozens of people who are suspected of being involved in the protests has begun, including members of his party. These people will be tried in military court, which is usually only for people who are considered enemies of the state or members of the armed forces.
Khan stated, "That's the only way they are going to get me into prison," and he went on to say that the military wanted to prevent him from winning elections in November.
He said around 150 lawbreaker arguments recorded against him were pointless and would get tossed out in any non military personnel court.
0 Comments