Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has accused the country’s military establishment of attempting to prevent his party from winning the next election.
Khan made these claims in an interview with Bloomberg, where he highlighted the government’s crackdown on his supporters as evidence of efforts to weaken his party and pave the way for a weak government during a time when Pakistan is facing a severe financial crisis.
According to Khan, the arrests of his supporters and the push to hold them accountable for attacking military buildings are part of a larger plan to suppress the PTI before the upcoming elections, which must be held by mid-October. Khan denied any involvement of his party or supporters in these attacks and criticized the government for using them as a pretext for an “unprecedented crackdown.”
Khan stated that the military establishment is concerned that the PTI will no longer be able to win the elections, and once they are sure of this, they will announce the elections. However, representatives from the government and the military did not respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment on Khan’s claims.
The military has historically played a powerful role in Pakistan, influencing foreign and security policies and directly ruling the country for significant periods. Previous prime ministers, including Khan, have relied on the military’s support to maintain power. However, Khan’s relationship with the military deteriorated after he attempted to influence army appointments, leading to strained ties between them.
In recent months, Khan has become increasingly critical of the military, breaking a long-standing taboo that discouraged politicians from openly criticizing the army. He has accused the military of plotting to remove him from power and has even alleged a senior officer of planning to assassinate him, although these claims have been consistently denied by the military leadership.
Khan also expressed concerns about the potential outcome of the elections, suggesting that it would be challenging for any party to secure a strong mandate. He warned that a fractured government would struggle to address the dire financial situation faced by the country, which has forced Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and bilateral donors. Khan attributed the current crisis to mismanagement by Sharif’s government.
Meanwhile, other political parties in Pakistan are attempting to win over Khan’s supporters, including former ally Muttahida Quami Movement and a new group of former PTI politicians. Khan expressed his belief that Pakistan needs a strong government to effectively deal with the crisis, emphasizing that throughout history, only robust administrations have successfully managed such challenges.
The political turmoil unfolds against the backdrop of Pakistan’s worst economic crisis, with soaring consumer prices, slashed growth estimates, and an increased risk of default. Khan acknowledged the need for a new IMF program and, if he were to return to power, expressed his intention to attract investment from the Pakistani diaspora and focus on revitalizing loss-making companies and supporting small exporters.
Despite the departure of key politicians, Khan claimed that public support for him and the PTI was growing. He criticized the current government, describing it as a puppet government that relies on the military establishment, as they are aware that they would face defeat in elections.
