CNN
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Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan told CNN that he had information from intelligence agencies that the shooting wound him will happen last week.
Khan survived a shooting at a political rally in Gujranwala on Thursday, an incident that His party has called an assassination.
When asked by CNN’s Becky Anderson on Monday what information he was given about the incident and from whom, Khan said: “Remember, I’ve been in power for three and a half years. I have connections with intelligence agencies, different agencies operate. How do I receive information? From within intelligence agencies. Why? Because most people are terrified of what’s going on in this country.”
Speaking at his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, Khan referred to a speech he gave on September 24 in which he said he outlined the events of the shooting that would how it happens.
Last Friday, Khan blamed establishment figures for a plot to kill him – a claim vehemently denied by management and security officials.
On Monday, he told Anderson: “As events unfold, they are in that speech. How will this happen, how in the name of blasphemy a religious fanatic will kill me and they will blame him. All of this is in my speech that I put on television – it’s on social media. ”
When asked about suggestions from critics that accusing the current government of causing the attack would help Khan return to office, he replied that he “doesn’t need any reason to force blame this government for me to return to power”, adding that his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Party has remained popular since he was ousted in April.
“They tried everything to somehow get me out of the way. When that didn’t happen, this was planned,” he added.
One person died in Thursday’s attack that left several others injured, while Khan was taken to hospital in Lahore for treatment after a bullet entered his leg. Speaking from the hospital on Friday, and without giving evidence, Khan blamed Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal, a senior intelligence official. CNN is reaching out to three men for comment.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Television last week denied Khan’s accusations against Sharif and Sanaullah at a press conference.
The Pakistani military has also hit back at Khan’s claims, calling them “baseless and irresponsible” and “completely unacceptable and unacceptable.” In a statement Friday night, the Interagency Public Relations Service (ISPR) called Khan’s allegations against the military and military officials “deeply regrettable and strongly condemned”.
“The Pakistani Army prides itself on being an extremely professional and well-disciplined organization with a strong and highly effective internal accountability system that applies to all unlawful acts, if any, committed by personnel.” uniformed staff perform,” the statement read.
“However, if the honor, safety, and credibility of its ranks and records are tarnished by the interests secured through frivolous accusations, the organization will be jealous to defend its members. his officers and men no matter what,” it continued.
CNN reported earlier on Monday that Khan had written a letter to Pakistan’s president Arif Alvi saying that since Khan’s government was stripped of power in April, his party has faced “the size of the day.” growing number of false accusations, harassment, arrests and detention torture”.
The letter, obtained by CNN from a source close to the former prime minister, is dated November 6, three days after Khan survived the shooting.
