LAHORE: Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed on Wednesday that the PML-N-led government was plotting to assassinate him on the model of Murtaza Bhuttowho was killed by police gunfire when his sister Benazir Bhutto was in power in 1996.
Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), made the startling allegations in a video address to his supporters. Khan survived an assassination attempt in November last year when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the container truck carrying him during a protest march in Punjab Province.
“Now another plan has been drawn up. I tell everyone, justice [and] especially the Punjab police,” Khan, 70, said in the video speech.
He alleged that the Islamabad and Punjab police chiefs and their “handlers” had planned another operation outside the Zaman Park residence.
“What’s the plan? That there’s another operation outside Zaman Park today or tomorrow. They’ve formed two squads that will mingle with our people and then shoot and kill four to five policemen,” he said. Khan said.
Khan said this would then trigger an attack from the other side, following which the PTI workers would be killed in a situation similar to Model Town.
“They will create a situation similar to Murtaza Bhutto’s assassination and kill me,” he warned.
Murtaza, the brother of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was killed in a clash with police in Karachi in 1996.
Ironically, Benazir was in power at that time.
She was killed 11 years later in a terrorist attack during a campaign rally in Rawalpindi in 2007.
Elements of the military establishment are blamed for their assassinations.
Khan urged members of his party to exercise restraint and not be provoked by the “operation”.
“Whatever the police do. Don’t be provoked. Understand their plan. I’m ready to go to jail but I don’t want bloodshed,” he said.
A few days ago, he claimed that a “death trap” had been set during his court appearance in Islamabad.
“A death trap was set at the Federal Court Complex in Islamabad where I had to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case. kill me,” he claimed.
Last week there were reports of clashes between his defiant supporters and security personnel after Khan arrived at the Islamabad court complex to attend the hearing in the Toshakhana case.
As he left Lahore for Islamabad, Punjab Police launched a search operation at their sprawling premises in the upscale Zaman Park neighborhood.
As of Wednesday, a total of 143 cases were filed against Khan, mostly on terrorism charges.
“I don’t care about my cases, but the way PTI workers are being arrested for fake cases, we are now writing to all international human rights organizations against these atrocities,” he said.
Khan also claimed that the PML-N government would pass a resolution in a joint session of parliament to delay elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The PTI leader was accused of buying gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch, which he received as prime minister at a discount from the state depositary called Toshakhana and selling them for a profit.
Khan was ousted from power in April last year after losing a vote of no confidence, becoming the first Pakistani prime minister to be ousted by the National Assembly.
Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), made the startling allegations in a video address to his supporters. Khan survived an assassination attempt in November last year when unidentified gunmen opened fire on the container truck carrying him during a protest march in Punjab Province.
“Now another plan has been drawn up. I tell everyone, justice [and] especially the Punjab police,” Khan, 70, said in the video speech.
He alleged that the Islamabad and Punjab police chiefs and their “handlers” had planned another operation outside the Zaman Park residence.
“What’s the plan? That there’s another operation outside Zaman Park today or tomorrow. They’ve formed two squads that will mingle with our people and then shoot and kill four to five policemen,” he said. Khan said.
Khan said this would then trigger an attack from the other side, following which the PTI workers would be killed in a situation similar to Model Town.
“They will create a situation similar to Murtaza Bhutto’s assassination and kill me,” he warned.
Murtaza, the brother of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, was killed in a clash with police in Karachi in 1996.
Ironically, Benazir was in power at that time.
She was killed 11 years later in a terrorist attack during a campaign rally in Rawalpindi in 2007.
Elements of the military establishment are blamed for their assassinations.
Khan urged members of his party to exercise restraint and not be provoked by the “operation”.
“Whatever the police do. Don’t be provoked. Understand their plan. I’m ready to go to jail but I don’t want bloodshed,” he said.
A few days ago, he claimed that a “death trap” had been set during his court appearance in Islamabad.
“A death trap was set at the Federal Court Complex in Islamabad where I had to attend a hearing in the Toshakhana case. kill me,” he claimed.
Last week there were reports of clashes between his defiant supporters and security personnel after Khan arrived at the Islamabad court complex to attend the hearing in the Toshakhana case.
As he left Lahore for Islamabad, Punjab Police launched a search operation at their sprawling premises in the upscale Zaman Park neighborhood.
As of Wednesday, a total of 143 cases were filed against Khan, mostly on terrorism charges.
“I don’t care about my cases, but the way PTI workers are being arrested for fake cases, we are now writing to all international human rights organizations against these atrocities,” he said.
Khan also claimed that the PML-N government would pass a resolution in a joint session of parliament to delay elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The PTI leader was accused of buying gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch, which he received as prime minister at a discount from the state depositary called Toshakhana and selling them for a profit.
Khan was ousted from power in April last year after losing a vote of no confidence, becoming the first Pakistani prime minister to be ousted by the National Assembly.
