"I have been placing my life at risk every time"
On March 20, 2023, Imran Khan demanded that Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial open a thorough probe into the “continuing threats” to his life and the “attack” on his Zaman Park residence.
The former prime minister claimed in a letter that his house being searched by the Punjab Police was proof that a plot to assassinate him once more was underway.
The raid on his home was carried out while he was at Islamabad Judicial Complex for his court hearing in the Toshakhana case.
Imran Khan also claimed in his letter that he had repeatedly asked the courts for video link access because his “life is at risk” during many court hearings.
He said: “With no security provided to me and with one assassination plot already attempted against my life in Wazirabad, I have been placing my life at risk every time I have to make a court appearance.”
Khan escaped a shooting during a rally in Wazirabad, Punjab, in November 2022.
The PTI leader added that his claims were supported by what happened during his Saturday appearance at the Islamabad Court Complex.
The former prime minister added: “When we arrived in Islamabad and were moving towards the judicial complex, we were trapped on all sides by containers to block my arrival at the complex and before the magistrate to deliberately try and create a false situation of ‘no show’.
“To provoke the mass of people gathered in support, the police and Rangers resorted to tear gas and baton charges against ordinary unarmed citizens and the PTI leadership accompanying me.
“What was worse was the police stationed on the roof of the complex started hurling stones into the crowds (videos are all available).
“When I was halfway through the gate of the complex the police attacked the workers around my car without any provocation.”
He claimed he became aware of an “amiss” and that “my assassination was intended, not my arrest”.
Khan further stated that while PTI lawyers were barred from entering the facility and “beaten back from the door”, 20 or more unidentified individuals who lacked uniforms or other forms of identification were permitted entry.
He claimed:
“This was done to allow them to assassinate me.”
Khan slammed the state government, saying:
“While I was facing all this in Islamabad, my house was assaulted in Zaman Park by the Punjab police in complete violation of the orders passed by the Honourable Lahore High Court.”
He also alleged that his wife, who he described as “very private and non-political”, was the only person in the house at the time along with a few domestic helpers.
Khan added: “The breaking of my gate and illegal entry by a group of armed police was also a clear violation of the Islamic principle of sanctity of chadar and chardiwari.”
Imran Khan requested that a “serious investigation” be carried out into these events as a way to wrap up his letter.
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