PDM trying to pit PTI against army, says Imran Khan

Former prime minister Imran Khan has accused the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) coalition of attempting to pit his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), against the country’s armed forces.

Imran has claimed that the PDM is orchestrating a campaign to incite a quarrel between the PTI and the army in an attempt to eliminate his party, which he said they cannot defeat in the elections.

“Efforts are being made to make PTI and the army come face to face. PDM is trying hard to incite quarrel between PTI and the army as these people [PDM] cannot win the elections so they want to eliminate PTI,” he said this while addressing the media from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on Monday.

His statement comes just hours after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged overseas Pakistanis not to support the “vicious” conspiracy against the Pakistan Army and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

Shehbaz called the “smear campaign” against the army chief a “continuation” of a conspiracy against the military, which he said was “unacceptable.”

Sharif also accused Imran Khan of “damaging the country and undermining our armed forces and their leadership.” He stressed the need to reject his political rival’s “agenda.” The PTI has repeatedly denied any involvement in the alleged campaign against the army, with party officials calling the accusations baseless and unfounded.

“I want to make it clear that this country is mine and so is the army. I have to live and die in Pakistan,” he asserted.

Imran said despite death threats he was appearing before courts as he was only concerned about the country and not afraid of death.

The PTI chief said his political opponents were not concerned about the country’s issues and conspiring to eliminate him to protect their vested interests.

Imran said the PDM leaders were trying their best to provoke military against the PTI by highlighting campaigns on social media and added that no one could control public reaction on social media.

The PTI chief said what the ‘imported government’ did to him had never happened in the history of the country. “Their aim is to kill me by spreading chaos when I go out to appear before court. My life is in danger.”

He also lashed out at Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, saying he was appointed to the post not for holding elections but to banish his party.

He also urged overseas Pakistanis to apprise the international community of how human rights of his party workers are being violated by the incumbent PDM government.

“We will approach international human rights organisations. We will contact countries through PTI offices abroad to inform them about the human rights violations in Pakistan,” he added.

He also denounced the ruling party leaders for calling his party workers terrorists, saying such allegations will spread hatred and divide the nation.