Imran Khan alleges assassination plot amidst jail staff reshuffle

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder and former prime minister Imran Khan has said that there were two previous attempts to assassinate him, and now his jail staff has been changed for the fourth time. He also mentioned that the person who used to check his food for possible poison has been replaced.

During an informal chat with the media at Adiala jail during the £190 million reference hearing, he denied holding any talks with the establishment, saying that if any discussions were to take place, they would be solely for the benefit of Pakistan.

Imran Khan remarked that cricket is the only sport in Pakistan that enjoys public support and is widely viewed on television, but it has been destroyed by the powerful people behind it. He said, “We failed to make the top four in the World Cup, and our team didn’t reach the top eight in T20. Yesterday, we lost to Bangladesh, creating a new low in our history. Only one institution is responsible for this.”

Also read: Three more Adiala Jail officers transferred for facilitating Imran Khan

He further accused Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi of owning property worth five million dollars in Dubai under his wife’s name and being involved in the wheat scandal. He criticized the current law and order situation in the country, noting that people are killed daily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, while theft, robbery, and the martyrdom of police officials have become commonplace in Punjab. He added that Naqvi was wanted by the NAB in 2008 and is a “sifarishi” (a person who relies on recommendations).

Khan also criticized the current government, saying, “A Form 47 government has been imposed on the people by a particular institution. This government has failed to bring reforms, reduce expenditures, or increase people’s income. They have money and properties abroad and are only borrowing, which is fueling inflation. Big multinational companies and professionals are leaving the country, and more inflation is expected in the coming days. They have no plan. When people criticize them, they call it digital terrorism.”

Imran Khan emphasized the importance of a strong army, stating, “The army belongs to all of us. The country needs a strong institution, and what they are doing is suicide. I am worried about the country. I live and die in Pakistan. I have no property abroad. I cannot strike a deal like Zardari and Sharifs. The CEO of Shaukat Khanum Hospital said that the departure of professionals has made it difficult for him to run the hospital.”

When a journalist suggested that the worsening situation in the country calls for reconciliation, Khan replied, “It’s like Israel telling the Palestinians to forget the past. You want me to forget the fraudulent election? Peace comes from justice. East Pakistanis were asking for justice, not against us. Justice must be served before the national reconciliation you speak of. Humans are not controlled with sticks like sheep and goats. Look at what happened in Bangladesh. The army chief, chief justice, and police chiefs had the prime minister’s backing, but when the people took to the streets, they claimed their rights. Look at Europe—how many military operations have taken place there?”

When asked about reports that, following Mohsin Naqvi’s contact with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, he agreed to meet Azam Swati in jail, despite criticizing Naqvi, Khan responded, “This entire government is built on lies. I don’t even know about such things. I have no contact with the establishment. The cell I’m kept in is as hot as an oven, and I sweat all the time, but I don’t seek any relief from them.”

A journalist then questioned why he accuses the army chief of wanting to kill him, to which Imran Khan replied, “There have been two attempts on my life. After the attack on me, CCTV footage was stolen by the ISI, which took control of the location that night. Whatever you say, your narrative on February 8 was rejected by the nation. People love the army because they protect us, but a false flag operation was carried out during the election on February 8. During this operation, we were tortured, and our party was banned. They keep tightening restrictions in jail, which shows they’re nervous.”

When asked about a complaint made by Bushra Bibi to the judge, Khan explained, “There are mice in Bushra’s room. When she prays, mice fall from the ceiling. She has been complaining about this for the last three months and has now informed the court.”

Finally, when asked about the army chief’s statement regarding the spread of digital terrorism and despair, Imran Khan said, “People criticize on social media, but they call it terrorism. When internet service was disrupted in Pakistan, people spoke about it. Shouldn’t people discuss the internet shutdown?”