Former prime minister Imran Khan speaks during an interview at his residence in Lahore
On Sunday the Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf PTI chairman Imran Khan claimed that the riots of May 9 were a public reaction to the way he was grabbed by the Army from the Islamabad High Court. He also accused the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government of using the “reaction” to dissolve his party.
The country was attempting to “impose a ban” on the former prime minister’s party, he said, as a result of the government’s choice to try May 9 rioters in military and anti-terrorism courts. Former prime minister removed from power because of no confidence vote last year in April.
He expressed such things in a CNN interview solely.
To keep me out of politics, Khan said, the whole democratic system is being destroyed.
It is important to note that after the violent demonstrations that occurred over a three day period after Khan’s detention on May 9 the Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on May 13 that the PTI could only be banned.
After the PTI chairman was detained in connection with the £190 million Al-Qadir Trust case, which resulted in at least 10 fatalities and many injuries, violent demonstrations spread practically across the whole nation. This prompted the government to detain thousands of PTI employees.
Miscreants assaulted both public and military buildings during the riots, including the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi and the Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House) in Lahore Cantt.
The military declared May 9 to be “Black Day” and chose to prosecute the demonstrators under the Army Act, according to Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir, who also said that the judicial procedure had already started in this case.
Maryam Nawaz, senior vice president of the governing Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz PMLN has asked the government to treat the PTI like a terrorist organization.
On March 17, the PML-N leader delivered a scathing news conference in Lahore in which he attacked the former premier for making a “scene” at his Zaman Park mansion and said Khan declared a “revolt against the state institutions.” She also demanded that the party be outlawed.
The administration had disapproved of the Supreme Court’s decision to hold general elections in Punjab on May 14,
according to Khan, who said this in an interview with members of the international media. Khan accused the governing coalition, PDM, of breaking the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s judgement.
He said that even the national elections which are scheduled in October, the government would not hold the polls until they are certain that the PTI will not win. “Because they are scared that the PTI and I [Khan] will be back into power, everything is being done to dismantle our democracy.”
Referring to the ongoing crackdown against the party leadership, the deposed premier said that there is no rule of law in the country, adding that his party’s entire leadership is in jail.
“We are heading towards a law of the jungle,” Khan added.
Responding to a question, he said, “How can you win by taking on your own army? Even if you succeed, your victory will be empty. Loss for the nation.
“I never had a problem with the Army,” he added.
During the past 60 years of governance in the country, Khan said, half had been ruled by the army and half by the two families — Bhuttos and Sharifs.
The PTI chief also said that he could not understand till today what was the purpose of toppling his government.
