PTI chairman Imran Khan, in an interview with CNN, claimed that the plot to assassinate him was conceived two months ago.

"I went to the public and announced it on September 24. How do I know this? It started when I was deposed, and from then onwards it was expected that my party would fall apart [...] but what happened instead was that there was a big public backlash and my party gained immense support."

The former premier said that efforts had been underway to "throw me out of the race" or "disqualify me".