A Salman Taseer-style assassination plot was developed for me: Khan, Imran
Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has accused the PML-N-led government of hatching his failed assassination plot – similar to the murder plot of slain former Punjab governor Salman Taseer – to put blame of his murder on religious fanatics.
The former premier claimed that two plans were made to assassinate him. “After failure of the first plan, plan B was made under which Salman Taseer type murder plot was hatched so that they could put a blame of my murder on religious fanatics”.
Imran said on August 24, journalist Waqar Satti posted a doctored video in which he was accused of committing a blasphemy.
Similarly, he said PML-N leaders Javed Latif, Maryam Nawaz, Rana Sanaullah and Khawaja Asif addressed press conferences and accused him of hurting religious sentiments of the masses.
The former prime minister was wounded by gunfire on November 3 last year as he led a convoy through thick crowds on top of his open-top container truck in Wazirabad. One person died while several members of the PTI chairman’s close circle were injured in the incident.
The alleged shooter, Naveed Bashir, was detained shortly after. He had claimed in his confessional video statement that he shot the PTI chief as he was “misleading” the nation, which he could not tolerate.
The video was leaked to the media shortly after the incident, which critics claimed was an attempt to lead people to a premeditated conclusion regarding the attacker’s motive.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf says a well-thought-out narrative was chalked out to give the assassination attempt the cover of religiously-motivated crime.
Besides PML-N, Imran in today’s presser lamented that those who were responsible for the country’s security were also involved in the assassination plot.
Imran said his failed assassination plot could not be hatched without the support of “those people whom we consider as the saviours of the country”.
“Countries break up when establishment turns against the country’s largest political party… for whom you [establishment] want to eliminate the leader of Pakistan’s largest political party?”
Imran said only enemy could think of damaging the country’s most popular party.
“Only two or three people are involved in my failed assassination plot.”
At the start of his address, Imran said the establishment had not estimated that people would take to the streets against his ouster.
“Unexpectedly, people protested against the imposition of thieves on the country but they [establishment] refused to reverse their mistake.”
Imran said despite enjoying establishment’s support, all parties part of the ruling alliance lost 75 per cent by-elections against his party which he said was unprecedented in the country’s history.
The PTI chief said his political rivals tried to use all means to eliminate him from political scene including hatching his murder plot and trying to disqualify him in the trumped up charges.
Speaking about investigation into the Wazirabad attack, Imran said there were three shooters who used different weapons in the attack.
Imran Khan said the confessional video of alleged shooter Naveed Bashir was shared by “those journalists and channels who are against PTI” to spread propaganda.
“I could not file an FIR of firing on me while in Punjab, where our party is in power… the subordinate police officer (DPO Gujranwala) did not appear in the court,” he added.
Concluding his address, Imran appealed the Supreme Court to ensure justice in the Wazirabad attack and hold powerful people accountable.