A lawmaker from Iman Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has threatened a suicide attack on the country’s rulers if any harm is caused to the former prime minister. The threat was conveyed by Attaullah, a lawmaker elected from Karachi in 2018 on the symbol of PTI. He has spoken about his intentions of attacking in a video message, which he has reportedly shared on Twitter. The clip was also shared by a few Pakistan journalists on their Twitter handle.
In the video circulating on social media, the PTI lawmaker says, “If a single hair on Imran Khan’s head is harmed, then those running the country be warned. Neither you nor your children will remain. I will be the first one to carry out a suicide attack on you, I will not let you go. In the same way, thousands of workers are ready.” A lawyer by profession, Attaullah is said to be an ardent supporter of Khan.
A journalist – who shared the video – reminded the authorities to take action against Attaullah for terrorism.
“What was the law called under which such threats were taken into account? Oh yes, the Anti-Terrorism Act!” tweeted Syed Talat Hussain, a noted television host and journalist.
Khan fell out of power in April after his government lost the trust vote. He has since been claiming that the no-trust motion against him was the result of a “foreign conspiracy” because his independent foreign policy and funds were being channelled from abroad to oust him from power. He has named the US as the country behind the conspiracy, a charge denied by Washington.
His supporters have warned of the threat to his life and the then information minister Fawad Chaudhry at the beginning of April had said that a plot to assassinate Khan had been reported by security agencies.
On May 14, Khan reiterated that there was a threat to his life and told his supporters at a rally that he had recorded a video in which he had taken the names of all those who “conspired against me”.
The government has enhanced his personal security as well as augmented the security cordon around his palatial residence in the Banigala suburbs of Islamabad.
(With PTI inputs)