By Imran Khan, the incarcerated founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has issued a stark warning that if the establishment’s ‘Plan B’ is executed, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will face severe repercussions the moment he steps down from office. Khan’s comments came during an informal discussion with journalists at Adiala Jail on Thursday.
Khan vehemently denied recent claims suggesting he had instructed any concealed PTI members to reveal themselves. He dismissed these reports as false, categorically rejecting any such directives. The PTI leader further accused the authorities of engaging in what he described as the abduction of party members, including Deputy Superintendent of Jail Akram, who he alleged was kidnapped under pretenses. Khan claimed that the police’s narrative—that Akram had eloped with a girl—was a cover for the actual kidnapping.
In his address, Khan criticized the government’s inconsistent and conflicting narratives on terrorism. He argued that the government had previously suggested that terrorism resurged following failed negotiations, only for Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to now assert that cross-border terrorism is occurring. This, Khan contended, indicates dishonesty and a failure to address the root causes of terrorism. He underscored the necessity for cooperation with the Afghan government to combat Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorism, emphasizing that without a collaborative effort, the scourge of terrorism would persist. Khan also stressed that addressing terrorism in Balochistan requires the inclusion of Baloch representatives in decision-making processes to mitigate their grievances and prevent further unrest.
Khan expressed frustration over the failure to implement electronic voting machines (EVMs), attributing this setback to former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). He accused these entities of obstructing the reform, which he believed was crucial for electoral transparency.
Additionally, Khan predicted that the departure of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa would lead to the opening of four constituencies and contribute to the collapse of the current government. He reaffirmed his commitment to holding a rally on September 8, urging supporters to participate regardless of any obstacles. Khan’s remarks were also colored by his concerns about the country’s economic situation, lamenting the lack of investment, rising debt, and the government’s ineffective management of the economy. He criticized the administration for its continuous borrowing and questioned how the country would repay its mounting debts amidst a struggling economy.
