LONDON/ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan was a “product” of Pakistan’s establishment, who was now seeking to regain power with the support of the United States.
Speaking at a press conference in London, Asif warned that if any foreign hand attempts to back the PTI, Pakistan will take necessary measures to protect itself.
Asif said that judiciary was the main obstacle in swift decisions against those involved in the violent attacks on May 9, 2023. He described the incidents as premeditated acts of violence orchestrated by trained individuals.
“The attacks on May 9 targeted sensitive installations. What happened that day was unprecedented and had never been witnessed before,” he said urging the urgency to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He said, “The attacks on strategic installations were unprecedented, which even never happened in India. These were well-planned and executed by a trained mob.”
He said that Imran Khan and other had demanded for CCTV footage of the incidents, which has been now been fulfilled.
The defence minister highlighted that 25 individuals convicted in connection with the May 9 attacks have been publicly identified, and several pending cases will be decided soon.
He termed the convictions by military courts a “milestone” for Pakistan, aimed at cleansing politics of elements who dented national interests for personal gains.
He said that May 9 serves as a critical juncture in Pakistan’s political history, as the state moves to ensure accountability and safeguard its sovereignty from internal and external threats.
Asif accused Imran Khan of being a long-time “man of the establishment,” stating, “His entire political history is rooted in the establishment’s support.”
He said that former army chief General Bajwa actively worked to sideline Nawaz Sharif to bring Imran Khan to power. “I was also contacted regarding this plan, and I met with them after obtaining permission,” he disclosed.
He alleged that “the 2018 elections were manipulated by failing the Results Transmission System (RTS) to bring Imran Khan to power. During his tenure, “billions of rupees were embezzled by Imran Khan, his family, and close associates.”
Commenting on Imran Khan’s recent activities, Asif said, “He was negotiating with the establishment until recently, and now his party is playing political games and shouting in the National Assembly. The public can clearly see these shifts.”
He accused Khan of seeking US support for a political comeback, warning that Pakistan knows how to defend itself against foreign interference.
“If Imran Khan had been in power during the nuclear tests, he would have pocketed $5 billion and sold out the country,” Asif said.
Asif announced plans to “expose” Imran Khan further by issuing a white paper detailing corruption in Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and other institutions.
“I will present all these facts on the National Assembly floor and in press conferences,” he said, claiiming that Khan’s actions were detrimental to Pakistan’s interests.