Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), denied on Saturday that members of his party were responsible for attacks on military facilities, such as the General Headquarters (GHQ) and the Lahore Corps Commander House, during the recent violent protests that erupted in response to his detention.
In his first speech upon his release, Khan urged for an unbiased investigation to reveal the truth. The PTI chairman said that it was his party, not those who were fleeing the polls, who wanted to sow discord and turmoil in the nation.
Soon after the PTI chairman was arrested on May 9 by Rangers officers from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acting pursuant to a NAB warrant, violent demonstrations broke out throughout the nation.
During the days-long demonstrations, at least 10 people died and several more were injured. Internet connectivity was also blocked nationwide for more than 72 hours.
The army said that May 9, 2023, the day when turmoil erupted throughout the country after Khan’s arrest, will be remembered as a “dark chapter” in history after the supporters stormed army sites.
The PTI chairman spoke to the country via video connection, claiming that his party, not the people fleeing the polls, aimed to sow discord and disorder in the region.
Khan accused Nawaz Sharif, the leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), of undermining the judiciary. He said that the PML-N leader “destroyed the judiciary”.
The former prime minister praised the judges for sparing him from doing time in jail in “fake cases” after he was removed from power in April of last year.
Khan was ordered to be released “immediately” after the Supreme Court ruled that his detention in the case was “illegal” on May 11.
The highest court ordered the PTI leader to go to the Police Lines Guest House and appear before the IHC, the same court that had authorised his detention.
The IHC granted the PTI chairman Friday unconditional relief since the ousted prime minister cannot be arrested before May 15.
Khan said that he opposed violence and vandalism and added that his party has always maintained peace in the face of many provocations. The ousted prime minister attacked the establishment for treating him like “the biggest terrorist of Pakistan” and for “attacking” him.
He stated that 15 criminal charges were filed against him in a single day.
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