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A committee has been formed to lead the party if I am arrested, says Imran Khan – Times of India
Lahore: PakistanFormer Prime Minister Omran Khan He told Reuters, hours before he appeared before a court that issued arrest warrants against him, that he formed a committee to lead his party in the event of his arrest.
The former cricket legend led protests across the country after he was ousted from power last year and a slew of cases were registered against him. On Tuesday, the police unsuccessfully tried to arrest him, which led to violent clashes with his party workers.
“I have formed a committee which will obviously make decisions once – if – you are inside” the prison, the 70-year-old said in an interview at his home in Lahore before heading to Islamabad early Saturday. He said there are 94 cases against him.
Khan, who was shot while campaigning in November, says the risk to his life is greater than before and has confirmed – without providing evidence – that his political opponents and the military want to prevent him from standing in elections later this year.
The army and government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
prime minister Shahbaz SharifThe government denied that it was behind these cases. The military — which has a huge role in Pakistan, having ruled the country for nearly half of its 75-year history — said it remains neutral on politics.
Khan said there is no reason to arrest him now, as he has been released on bail in all his cases. If convicted in the case, Khan could face disqualification from contesting elections scheduled for November.
“The establishment at the moment feels somehow threatened by me. And that’s the issue,” he said.
A police attempt to arrest Khan led to clashes in which dozens of people were injured.
“My life is more threatened than it was at the time,” he said, adding that he was worried about the reaction to his arrest or any attempt on his life. “I feel there will be a very strong reaction, and it will be a reaction all over Pakistan.”
The former prime minister has generated popular support among Pakistanis amid decades of high inflation and a crippling economic slowdown, as the country implements painful financial reforms to avoid default. Thousands rallied behind him every time he called for demonstrations.
“I just think those who are trying to do this can’t understand the situation. Unfortunately, the mind that is thinking of either killing me or putting me in jail, I don’t think they understand where Pakistan is now.”
Khan said the army had a role in ousting him from power after strained relations with the former army chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who retired in November. Said the new chief, Gen Asim Mounirwas following the same policy.
The military has previously denied the allegations.
“Throughout our 70-75 year history, you know, (the military has) a role. But that role has to be balanced now. You have to have that balance now, because that previous balance is no longer viable,” he said.
The former cricket legend led protests across the country after he was ousted from power last year and a slew of cases were registered against him. On Tuesday, the police unsuccessfully tried to arrest him, which led to violent clashes with his party workers.
“I have formed a committee which will obviously make decisions once – if – you are inside” the prison, the 70-year-old said in an interview at his home in Lahore before heading to Islamabad early Saturday. He said there are 94 cases against him.
Khan, who was shot while campaigning in November, says the risk to his life is greater than before and has confirmed – without providing evidence – that his political opponents and the military want to prevent him from standing in elections later this year.
The army and government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
prime minister Shahbaz SharifThe government denied that it was behind these cases. The military — which has a huge role in Pakistan, having ruled the country for nearly half of its 75-year history — said it remains neutral on politics.
Khan said there is no reason to arrest him now, as he has been released on bail in all his cases. If convicted in the case, Khan could face disqualification from contesting elections scheduled for November.
“The establishment at the moment feels somehow threatened by me. And that’s the issue,” he said.
A police attempt to arrest Khan led to clashes in which dozens of people were injured.
“My life is more threatened than it was at the time,” he said, adding that he was worried about the reaction to his arrest or any attempt on his life. “I feel there will be a very strong reaction, and it will be a reaction all over Pakistan.”
The former prime minister has generated popular support among Pakistanis amid decades of high inflation and a crippling economic slowdown, as the country implements painful financial reforms to avoid default. Thousands rallied behind him every time he called for demonstrations.
“I just think those who are trying to do this can’t understand the situation. Unfortunately, the mind that is thinking of either killing me or putting me in jail, I don’t think they understand where Pakistan is now.”
Khan said the army had a role in ousting him from power after strained relations with the former army chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who retired in November. Said the new chief, Gen Asim Mounirwas following the same policy.
The military has previously denied the allegations.
“Throughout our 70-75 year history, you know, (the military has) a role. But that role has to be balanced now. You have to have that balance now, because that previous balance is no longer viable,” he said.
