Imran Khan: Military Seeks to Block Opposition Party’s Election Win

Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan and leader of the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has alleged that the country’s military establishment is actively working to prevent his party from winning the upcoming election. In an interview with Bloomberg, Khan expressed concerns that the military’s efforts to arrest his supporters were part of a larger strategy to “crush” PTI before the mid-October vote, thereby paving the way for a weak government.

Khan pointed to the government and military’s crackdown on his party’s members following attacks on military buildings that occurred after his brief detention in May. While authorities claim to hold accountable those responsible for the attacks, Khan vehemently denied any involvement of his supporters or the PTI in such incidents. He accused the government of utilizing the attacks as a pretext for an “unprecedented crackdown” on his party.

The PTI leader suggested that the military establishment’s motive behind suppressing PTI was its belief that the party would not be able to win the elections. Khan stated, “Once they are sure of that, then they’ll announce elections.” Representatives of the government and the military did not respond to Bloomberg’s request for comment on Khan’s claims. It is worth noting that the military has traditionally played a dominant role in Pakistan’s political landscape, influencing foreign and security policies.

Khan’s relationship with the military has seen strains in recent times. Despite depending on their support to come to power initially, the ties worsened as Khan attempted to influence army appointments. Breaking a long-standing taboo of politicians refraining from criticizing the military, Khan has escalated his anti-army rhetoric and accused the military of plotting against him. He even identified a senior officer whom he alleged to be involved in a plot to assassinate him, though the military has consistently denied such allegations.

Khan warned that if no party secures a strong mandate, Pakistan will likely have a fragmented government ill-equipped to tackle the severe financial crisis the country is facing. The chaos in the political landscape has coincided with Pakistan experiencing its worst economic crisis, marked by skyrocketing consumer prices, slashed growth estimates, and the looming possibility of default.

While Khan acknowledged the need for a new program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he outlined his plans to attract investment from the Pakistani diaspora, a vital source of funding and support for him. Additionally, he expressed intentions to address the issue of loss-making companies and facilitate the growth of small exporters.

Despite the departure of key politicians, Khan asserted that public support for him and PTI is growing. He described the current government as a “puppet government” relying on the military establishment to survive, emphasizing their apprehension regarding the outcome of elections, as they fear being wiped out.

The allegations made by Imran Khan shed light on the complex dynamics between Pakistan’s political parties and the military establishment, as well as the challenges the country faces in navigating its economic crisis and ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.