ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday urged the legal fraternity to be ready to join the protest against the incumbent government.

While addressing the members of Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA), the former prime minister expressed the apprehensions that Pakistan could face the Sri Lanka-like situation if its affairs continued to be run the same way as they were being run at present.

“The rulers may steer the country to a point where we have to compromise on our sovereignty,” he added. IHCBA president Shuaib Shaheen organised the event.

Mr Khan invited the lawyers to participate in the PTI’s protest against the government. Referring to a recent hike in petroleum prices by the government, he said such decisions would crush the public.

Pointing out amendments to the accountability’s law, Mr Khan said that cases against public office holders would be closed after these developments. He also highlighted the deaths of people linked to cases against PML-N senior leaders since the new government was formed.

He criticised the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for not notifying lawmakers on vacant seats of Punjab Assembly after the ECP de-seated 25 members of the provincial assembly over defection.

Mr Khan observed that despite being a key ally of the United States, India was buying cheaper oil from Russia. If India was allowed to purchase oil from Russia, why Pakistan could not do the same, he asked.

The former premier termed his ouster a “foreign conspiracy”.

“A day before the then-opposition filed the no-confidence in the Natio­nal Assembly, US Undersecretary of State for South Asia Donald Lu met Pakis­tan’s envoy in Washington,” he said.

He argued that the US government was displeased by his visit to Russia and objections were being raised by it. The PTI chief also claimed “at that time the US embassy had been holding meetings with the PTI dissident lawmakers and opposition leaders”.

“I had not visited Russia for any personal interest, but for the country’s benefits,” he said.

He said it was very convenient for him to not agree to visit Russia, but he stood against the slavery. “Only free and fair elections can save the country from drowning,” he added.

Published in Dawn,June 17th, 2022