ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday his "life is in danger" as he was not going to stay quiet, days after claiming his government received a "threatening" letter from a foreign country.
At a rally on Sunday, Khan spoke of a purported letter that contained threats to his government, but did not name a country that sent it. Pakistani officials have since said the letter was a cable written by a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States (US), who conveyed threats by a “senior foreign official.”
On Thursday, Khan named the US in his televised address to the nation, accusing it of backing a political campaign aimed at ousting him. He said the move was aimed at hindering his efforts to pursue an independent foreign policy for Pakistan. Washington has denied the allegations.
"I am saying this in front of every one my life is in danger, because these people know Imran Khan is not going to stay quiet," PM Khan said in an interview televised by ARY News channel Friday night.
"Separately, they have desinged a character assassination campaign. You will see they will speak all sorts of wrong things... They will do this against my wife, they will run an entire campaign against her friend, Farah."
PM Khan, who has been facing a no-confidence vote in parliament, has said the letter called for a "regime change" in Pakistan. The crucial vote is schedule to take place on Sunday.
He said Pakistan's powerful military establishment had given him three options in the wake of the no-trust motion filed by the opposition.
"They had given me the options and that is, obviously, our establishment," he told ARY News. "They offered that there are three things you go for a no-trust vote, resign or [snap] election."
The Pakistan premier said a snap election was the best way for him. "I can never think of a resignation and the no-trust vote means... I believe in fighting till the last minute."
Pakistan’s opposition parties require 172 lawmakers in their camp to oust PM Khan, who has been facing over a dozen defections by his party's lawmakers.
Earlier in the day, Khan called for Pakistan to pursue a foreign policy free from the influence of powerful countries, saying that former governments were at fault for giving Western countries the impression Islamabad was dependent on them.
“It’s our fault, we gave them [Western powers] the impression that we can’t live without you,” PM Khan said, addressing the Islamabad Security Dialogue 2022.
Referring to the US, he said a “powerful country” had been angered by his visit to Russia in February. He accused Washington of double standards, saying it was supporting India despite New Delhi’s decision to import oil from Russia.
“How can a country interfere in the affairs of an independent state,” he questioned.
