LAHORE – Ousted Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan addressed the nation from the hospital bed on Friday evening for the first time after he came under a gun attack in the Punjab town of Wazirabad on Thursday.
Khan, who is chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) or the Pakistan Justice Movement, came under the gun attack when he was leading his party’s long march to Islamabad. He received four bullets to his legs and was taken to Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore for a surgery immediately after the attempt on his life.
At least 11 people were injured and one of his supporters was killed in the shooting incident, which Khan blamed on Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and Major General Faisal Naseer of the Pakistan Army.
Speaking to the nation in his televised address, Khan said he would take to the streets once again as soon as he recovers from bullet injuries. He however urged his supporters to continue protests until Sharif, Sanaullah and Naseer resign from their offices and submit themselves for investigation.
Addressing Supreme Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Khan asked him to realise his responsibility and save the country by ensuring the rule of law and dispensation of justice to people.
Addressing General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the chief of army staff (COAS) of the Pakistan Army, Khan said that people like Major General Faisal Naseer were taking Pakistan to destruction and tarnishing image of the Pakistan Army. He said that Pakistan needed a strong army because a strong army was needed to maintain Pakistan’s freedom. He said that his criticism of the army was constructive, but people like Naseer were weakening the army.
Khan made it clear to the army chief that the Pakistani nation would not accept the thieves imposed as rulers on the country. He said that Major General Faisal Naseer was using force to make people accept the incumbent rulers, but they would not accept them. He said that Pakistan was heading towards anarchy.
Khan asked the COAS to tell Major General Naseer to resign and then investigate him for his “cruel actions”. He said that people like Senator Azam Swati, Shahbaz Gill and Jameel Farooqui were stripped and beaten and told that Imran Khan would be given the same treatment. “Is this the job of the agencies of this country?” he asked.
Below is the full speech of Imran Khan courtesy his own YouTube channel.