Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, gestures as he speaks with Reuters during an interview, in Lahore, Pakistan March 17, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan has accused the strong military and its intelligence agency of openly attempting to destroy his political party, claiming he has “no doubt” he would be convicted in a military court and imprisoned.
Khan has already hinted at the military’s involvement in a crackdown on his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, but his remarks in an interview at his Lahore house on Saturday night were the most direct yet.
“It is completely the establishment,” the former cricket hero told Reuters, when asked who was behind the crackdown. “Establishment obviously means the military establishment, because they are really now openly – I mean, it’s not even hidden now – they’re just out in the open.”
A spokesman for the military, which has run the country directly or indirectly for its 75-year history, and has seldom faced the sort of public challenge to its power as it has from Khan, did not respond to a request for comment.
A bruising year-long standoff between Khan, Pakistan’s most popular leader according to polls, and the army came to a head when military buildings and property were ransacked last month, allegedly by his supporters.
The political unrest has increased uncertainty in the nuclear-armed country of 220 million, which is also beset by financial turmoil. Its $350 billion economy is struggling to stave off default, control record inflation and deal with a plummeting currency.
Khan termed the violent protests, which erupted after he was briefly arrested, a “false flag operation” meant to target him.
Authorities have begun the process of trying dozens of people, including members of his party, suspected of involvement in the protests in military court – usually reserved for service members or those categorized as enemies of the state.
“That’s the only way they are going to get me into prison,” Khan said, adding that the military wanted to stop him from returning to power in elections due by November.
He said about 150 criminal cases filed against him were frivolous and would get thrown out in any civilian court.
“So their only hope, and because they are determined to get me out of the way, I think they will, their whole charade of military courts is to imprison me,” he said.
“I have absolutely no doubt that the military courts are meant for me,” said Khan, who is out on bail.
Amnesty International says Pakistan’s military courts have previously shown disregard for due process, lack of transparency, coerced confessions and executions after unfair trials.