Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently in jail, has made alarming claims in an article for The Telegraph, stating that he believes the country’s military establishment intends to kill him. Khan, who chairs the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, wrote that Pakistan is in a state of confrontation, blaming the military for orchestrating his downfall. He cited a vote of no confidence two years ago that led to a government supported by the military taking power. Khan accused Gen Asim Munir, the Chief of Army Staff, of directing efforts to dismantle the PTI’s political influence.
Khan highlighted documented instances of oppression, torture, and electoral symbol denial against his party, asserting that the military’s tactics failed to diminish the PTI’s presence. The general elections held on February 8, 2024, resulted in a fragmented mandate, with independent candidates backed by the PTI winning 93 seats in the 336-member National Assembly. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by former PM Nawaz Sharif, secured 75 seats, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) won 54 and 17 seats, respectively.
Following the elections, the PML-N formed a coalition with the PPP and smaller parties to seize federal power. However, the PTI alleged rigging, claiming that the military establishment favored the PML-N and manipulated election results. PTI representatives pointed to discrepancies in the reporting of results and accused the Election Commission of using alternate forms to distort the outcome.
Despite filing a petition in the Supreme Court to address the alleged rigging, the PTI’s plea has not yet been scheduled for a hearing. Gohar Ali Khan, a PTI member, announced plans to release a 300-page white paper detailing the purported theft of the people’s mandate. The PTI’s efforts aim to raise awareness among the public about electoral malpractice and seek justice for what they perceive as a fraudulent election outcome.
Khan’s accusations against the military establishment underscore the deeply entrenched political tensions in Pakistan. The PTI’s allegations of electoral manipulation add fuel to ongoing debates about democracy and civilian governance in the country. As the situation unfolds, Khan’s claims and the PTI’s assertions will likely intensify political discourse and influence public opinion in Pakistan.