Four people plotted to kill me: Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan

LAHORE: PTI Chairman Imran Khan has claimed that four people plotted to kill him, stating that the "handlers" were taking the decisions at the back but the people were turning out to his rallies in record numbers, a media report said.

"Four people plotted to kill me. I made a video and named those people and have stashed it abroad," Khan said, adding that it would be released in case something happens, Dawn reported.

He indicated that he received the information of this plot through the relationships he had formed while in power.

In his first address since the assassination attempt on him in Gujranwala on Thursday, in which Khan sustained bullet injuries in his leg, the PTI chief stated that he was aware of the plot to kill him.

"I'll come to the details of the attack later. I got to know the day before [the attack] that either in Wazirabad of Gujrat, they planned to kill me," he said, Dawn reported.

The former Prime Minister said that Pakistan's own agencies were not allowing democratic processes to continue.

"During the by-elections in July, all the state machinery was used, rigging was done, but PTI swept the elections. What happened next was that more pressure and threats were given. A handler came to Islamabad — Major General Faisal — and he said that he will show how to straighten them [PTI] out," Khan alleged, Dawn reported.

"More strictness started on media and journalists favouring PTI. Our MPAs were approached, scared and threatened to abandon me... they threatened to release inappropriate videos and blackmailed them."

Khan said that his party wasn't "made by the establishment" like the PPP and the PML-N, asserting that he came to power with the people's support, Dawn reported.

"The way the people supported me, I was surprised... we announced a long march on May 25. They staged three marches during our tenure. We thought the law and Constitution permitted us [to stage a protest].

"We thought they would give us permission because we have given them permission, he said. But instead they subjected our workers and leaders to violence.

"They shelled families in Islamabad... they thought the party would end but they didn't understand the [sentiments of the] nation because when decisions are made in closed rooms, you don't know what is happening," Khan said.

Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) took to the streets in different parts of the country against the party chief and former Pak premier Imran Khan's assassination bid, media reported. As per reports, PTI supporters have started gathering at Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (K-P) Peshawar Toll Plaza. All workers of the Peshawar district are expected to protest at the toll plaza.

Meanwhile, the GT Road from Chakbeli Mor in Rawalpindi was blocked as violent protests erupted against the assassination attempt on the PTI chief. A heavy presence of both motorway police and district police were seen at the protest venue.

Moreover, protesters have also set tyres of the vehicles on fire and blocked the road. As a result of the blockade, passengers from both sides of the road are facing problems. PTI workers have also started gathering outside the Allama Iqbal Park in Rawalpindi. Party MLAs Ali Nawaz and Khurram Nawaz were also present at the venue. (IANS)

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