Making a startling claim that a conspiracy was being hatched to assassinate him, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday said he had recorded a video naming all those elements involved in the alleged US-backed “foreign plot”.
“A conspiracy is being hatched behind closed doors to take my life… I have recorded a video and kept it at a safe place… I have named all those elements involved in the conspiracy in the video,” he said while addressing his supporters in Sialkot on Saturday. “I knew about it and I got full knowledge about it a few days ago.”
Explaining why he had recorded the video, the former premier said, “If something happens to me, I want to let Pakistanis know who was involved inside and outside the country.” He said he had tried to expose in the video the conspirators who had colluded with the “looters” in the country. He also said his video would essentially expose all ‘traitors’ and everyone who had a role in the alleged conspiracy. He added that he was asking the nation for a sacrifice to free the country of plunderers and looters.
The public gathering was part of several rallies being held by the former ruling party following Imran’s ouster from power last month after a no-trust vote in parliament. Imran also took the authorities to task for their alleged efforts to stop his party from staging the rally in Sialkot.
He blamed the fiasco on Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif, calling him and his party a bunch of “cowards”. Addressing his supporter, he claimed that when in power, his party never stopped his political opponents from holding protests. “We are the followers of Prophet [Muhammad] (PBUH) and we will never bow down to any superpower… we never fear anyone accept Allah.”
Mocking his rivals, Imran said, “Three stooges (Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Fazlur Rehman) should listen that they cannot come in the way of this azadi movement.”
“This isn’t politics, but a revolution coming your way,” Imran roared to a charged crowd.
He added that those who were in charge of accountability process did not consider corruption a bad practice and allowed powerful to dodge accountability.
“During my 3.5 years I tried my best that those looting this country for the last 30 years got sentenced and action was taken against them, but those in powerful positions, who were supposed to do justice, did not consider corruption bad.
They’ve accepted that the powerful will steal and no one will catch them.”
Specifically addressing the youth, he said, “Be prepared, I am sure your passion will defeat everything.” He also told them to “shut down petrol pumps, transport and internet” when he gives the call to do so. Referring to the pressure on those investigating mafias, he asked, “Where are our courts and how will our institutions face such criminal elements?” The former premier asked the judiciary why they were not taking any action despite witnessing “destruction of the country and national institutions”.
“If you don’t want to nab and punish them, then let free all small criminals who are currently behind bars.” The PTI chief claimed that the country achieved the highest industrial progress during his rule, with the crowd cheering to endorse his views. “Pakistan had its industries, crops, and exports all grew to new highs, while unemployment dropped during my government,” he maintained.
Explaining further, Imran said now when the “looters” were at the helm, inflation had skyrocketed and stock markets were crashing.
Reiterating his often-quoted stance, he asserted that the country could not move forward unless the powerful were brought to justice.
Concluding his speech, Imran invited the people of Sialkot to march towards Islamabad on his call. “I’m confident now you are trained enough for it.” He also told his audience to brave the climatic hardships that the scorching summer was likely to throw at them on their way to the capital.
