Pakistan’s Imran Khan Says ‘Our Match Wouldn’t Stop’ Despite Surviving Gun Attack

Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister, was shot during a protest last Thursday as part of a rolling march to demand a general election since he was deposed in a parliament vote in April. After being wounded in a gun attack a week prior, the 70-year-old former cricket legend encouraged fans via video link on Thursday, Nov. 10, to continue an anti-government march. He also denied a police claim that a lone shooter had attempted to murder him.

He suffered a leg injury when bullets struck his car. In the eastern city of Wazirabad, the same place where the attacker fired multiple rounds, and wounded him and 10 others, Khan spoke to a small group of workers who had renewed the march. One of those hurt later passed away. Khan stated that "our march wouldn't stop," and that instead, it would gain momentum as it approached the capital Islamabad.

Since being ousted by a combined opposition, Khan has been spearheading public protests to call for immediate elections. Khan said that he would join the protest march in the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi, which is close to Islamabad, in a few days, saying that nothing could stop him from moving forward as long as the snap elections were not called. "I will not back off as long as I'm alive," he said.

Shehbaz Sharif, his successor as prime minister, has rejected the demand and stated that the election will take place later in the year as planned. According to a police investigation made public last week, Mohammad Naveed, who pulled a gun during the ceremony last week while Khan waved to his followers, acted alone.

Khan contested the police account in the video speech. He claimed that at least two individuals carried out an attack that was carefully thought out. He cited instances when he discussed a rumored conspiracy at his public rallies in September but did not offer any proof to support his assertion. As per Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, the shooter was "self-motivated and committed" and conducted the attack on the basis of religion.

Instead, the former premier claims that Sanaullah, the current prime minister, and a military officer from Pakistan's espionage agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), were all involved in the attempted murder. The charges have been vehemently refuted by the administration and the military. The shooter was caught by a Khan supporter, who interfered with his aim, and the police now have him in custody.