Lahore, Pakistan – Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has accused the government and military establishment of seeking to impede his party’s victory in the upcoming presidential polls. In an interview with Bloomberg, Khan alleged that the authorities were orchestrating a crackdown on his supporters and attempting to crush his party’s chances before the mid-October elections.
Khan highlighted the government’s efforts to arrest his supporters and recent attacks on military buildings as evidence of the establishment’s ulterior motives. While authorities claimed that those responsible for the attacks were associated with PTI, Khan vehemently denied any involvement and accused the government of using the incident as a pretext for an “unprecedented crackdown.”
“The establishment believes that PTI will no longer be able to win the elections,” Khan stated. “Once they are sure of that, then they’ll announce elections.”
The government and military establishment have not responded to Khan’s allegations, nor have they provided any comment on the matter. In the past, both entities have condemned the attacks on state-owned property and accused Khan and his supporters of crossing a line.
Pakistan’s military holds significant power in the country’s political landscape and has played a dominant role in shaping foreign and security policies throughout its history. Although many prime ministers have relied on the military’s support to maintain power, Khan’s relationship with the institution deteriorated when he attempted to influence army appointments. In recent months, Khan has escalated his criticism of the military, breaking a long-standing taboo that prevented politicians from openly challenging the army’s actions.
Khan also accused the military of plotting to remove him from power and even identified a senior officer allegedly involved in a conspiracy to assassinate him. These allegations have consistently been denied by the military leadership.
During the interview, Khan expressed concern about the potential for a fractured government with a weak mandate following the upcoming elections. He warned that such a scenario could exacerbate the dire financial situation faced by the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has already sought assistance from the International Monetary Fund and bilateral donors due to mismanagement and a deteriorating economy.
Other political parties in Pakistan have begun targeting Khan’s supporters, seeking to capitalize on the political turbulence. Former ally Muttahida Quami Movement and a new group of former PTI politicians are among those attempting to win over disenchanted PTI members.
Khan emphasized that Pakistan needs a strong government to address the deepening economic crisis. Rising consumer prices, slashed growth estimates, and the looming possibility of default have created an urgent need for decisive action. Khan asserted that, if returned to power, he would pursue investment from the Pakistani diaspora, rectify loss-making companies, and support the growth of small exporters.
Despite key politicians exiting his party, Khan remains confident in the increasing public support for him and PTI.
“The government is just a puppet government,” Khan declared, highlighting its reliance on the military establishment. “They know that if there are elections, they’ll be wiped out.”
As Pakistan faces critical challenges, the allegations made by Imran Khan have added fuel to the already intense political atmosphere in the country. With the presidential polls approaching, the nation waits to see if Khan’s accusations will impact the electoral landscape and shape the future of Pakistani politics.
