Imran Khan, the Chairman of PTI and ex-Prime Minister, called for an independent probe into the violent aftermath following his arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) about the Al-Qadir Trust case on Saturday, May 9. He requested that the Supreme Court supervise the inquiry.
In his first address to the nation after his release from NAB’s custody, Imran Khan sought a full investigation into the destruction of public property and the firing at unarmed protestors. He appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, to oversee the investigation.
The PTI leader denied any involvement of his party members in the nationwide violent protests and attacks on military establishments. He insisted that the instigators of the violence were not affiliated with PTI and reiterated the peaceful nature of his supporters throughout their 27-year struggle.
Imran Khan pointed fingers at the coalition government for the turmoil, asserting that those who fear elections want chaos, not his party. He showed gratitude towards the judiciary for preventing his imprisonment and criticized PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif for undermining the independence of the judiciary in the past.
Regarding his arrest, he condemned how it was carried out at the Islamabad High Court on May 9. He also defended himself in the Al-Qadir Trust case, asserting he gained no personal advantage from the trust.
The PTI chairman expressed his disappointment at allegations made by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) against him and his party. He criticized the military establishment for involving itself in politics and suggested that they should form their political party.
Imran Khan concluded by voicing his knowledge of a plot to assassinate him last year, naming Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah as co-conspirators.
