'Pakistan heading towards imminent disaster', says PTI former PM Imran Khan
2 min read . Updated: 18 May 2023, 08:05 PM IST
PremiumThe 70-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, in video-link address from his Zaman Park residence, said the only solution to end political instability was to hold elections.
Accusing the ruling coalition of hatching a conspiracy to pit the army against his party, former prime minister Imran Khan on 17 May warned Pakistan is heading towards an imminent disaster and it may face disintegration.
The 70-year-old Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, in video-link address from his Zaman Park residence, said the only solution to end political instability was to hold elections.
"The PDM leaders and Nawaz Sharif, who is absconding in London, are least concerned whether the country’s constitution is desecrated, state institutions are destroyed or even Pakistan Army earns a bad name. They are looking for their vested interests of saving the looted wealth alone," he said.
"I am seeing a frightening dream that the country is heading towards an imminent disaster. I appeal to the powers that be to let the elections take place and save the country," Khan said.
Khan, while speaking about the unrest that followed his arrest from the Islamabad High Court premises on May 9, asserted that it was a “pure conspiracy" hatched and executed allegedly on behalf of the ruling coalition and the Punjab caretaker government.
“This is high time that the powers that be should sensibly rethink otherwise the country might face an East Pakistan-like situation," The Dawn quoted Khan as saying.
Defending his criticism of the country's army, Khan said: “When I reprimand the army, it is like I am criticising my kids."
“I have repeatedly stated that I do not interfere in state institutions’ internal matters. I did not interfere when I had confirmed reports that the former army chief was conspiring against me," he said.
He claimed some politicians were telling the current army chief that Khan would de-notify him if voted to power.
Reacting to the Punjab government’s claim that some 40 terrorists are hiding at his Zaman Park residence, Khan said the government must search the house in a lawful manner, but only after obtaining a search warrant, as he cited danger to his life in the presence of terrorists.
“But don’t make this an excuse to launch a crackdown on the country’s largest political party PTI," he said.
After his video-link address, Khan allowed the electronic and digital media representatives access to his residence to see for themselves that there were no terrorists inside Zaman Park.
The media persons, who visited the house, later reported that there were only domestic workers and some policemen inside the house.
Earlier on 9 May, the arrest of Khan by the paramilitary Pakistan Rangers at the IHC premises triggered unrest in Pakistan, as the protesters stormed the army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and also torched a corps commander's house in Lahore.Police put the death toll in violent clashes to 10 while Khan's party claims 40 of its workers lost their lives in the firing by security personnel.
With agency inputs.