Former Pakistani premier flags conspiracy to keep his party out of elections

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has alleged that there is a conspiracy to keep his party out of the elections.

He claimed on Twitter that the government has unleashed a reign of terror against his party’s workers.

Khan, a leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the country’s largest political force, said authorities have arrested thousands of his associates.

Among them are former ministers and members of parliament.

The government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that some 5,000 people, including women, had been arrested.

They are accused of resorting to violence after Khan’s arrest on alleged corruption charges.

Dozens of those arrested were handed over to the army to stand trial in military courts for allegedly looting defense facilities on May 9.

Khan further stated on Twitter that the mainstream media was barred from covering his statements.

The 70-year-old cricketer turned politician has long dominated television screens in Pakistan.

Recently, he has disappeared from all major news channels. Nor does the media report on alleged rights abuses against jailed political associates.

“Since the mainstream media has now been completely muzzled through social media, everyone must be made aware of the reign of terror unleashed on Pakistan’s biggest party so that it can be kept out of the elections,” Khan said Tuesday on Twitter.

Khan has openly accused the powerful Pakistani military of being behind the crackdown and media ban to dismantle his party.

Prime Minister Sharif said his government was taking action against “the guilty” within the law and promised that no rights violations would occur.

Khan faces dozens of charges ranging from corruption and sedition to terrorism and murder.

He denies the charges, claiming they are aimed at ousting him from politics.

Khan was removed from office in April 2022 by a parliamentary vote of no confidence.