Former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday predicted that the “injustice, oppression, fascism, lawlessness and economic devastation” in Pakistan is steering the country toward a situation similar to that recently seen in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
“Before the elections, when there was an atmosphere of fear everywhere, I had predicted that Tehreek-e-Insaf would make a clean sweep, and that’s exactly what happened,” he was quoted as saying to his family members in Adiala. “Today, I am making prediction that the environment of injustice, oppression, fascism, lawlessness, and economic devastation in the country is rapidly heading toward the same situation as seen in Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka,” he said in a posting on his official X account, which is not accessible to him in prison.
This is not the first time Khan has “predicted” anarchy in Pakistan. In July 2022, following his ouster through a vote of no-confidence, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder had claimed Pakistan is “not far” from a Sri Lanka moment. He similarly claimed in August 2024 that Pakistan could see protests similar to the ones that ousted Sheikh Hasina if there was any attempt to grant an extension to then-Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa.
In the message conveyed via his family, Khan also directed all PTI lawmakers to “act as a true opposition,” claiming all legal avenues against “injustice” were exhausted. “The more you cooperate with them [government], the more they will crush you. Whoever does not stand resolutely against this system will dig their own political grave,” he added.
Urging all party supporters to protest “against oppression,” he emphasized the need to ensure the PTI’s upcoming rally in Peshawar on Sept. 27 was a success.
Army chief
In his conversation with his family, Khan reiterated that he and his wife, Bushra, were facing “mental torture” and blamed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir. He claimed the Army chief was seeking an “illegitimate 10-year rule,” reiterating allegations of his party’s mandate being “stolen.”
He also reiterated his opposition to the 26th constitutional amendment, claiming it had paralyzed the judiciary and slammed restrictions on media freedom. “At this moment, democracy in the country is suspended, human rights violations are at their peak, the judiciary is enslaved, and the media is terrified,” he said.
According to Khan, the Army chief has “worsened” ties with Afghanistan. “This was done to portray himself as a ‘mujahid’ to the lobbies in the West that oppose the current Afghan government, proving that he is the one who can fight the war against terrorism,” he said, blaming the prevailing situation for Pakistan’s economic stagnation.