Lahore, Nov 4 (IANS) PTI Chairman Imran Khan has claimed that four people plotted to kill him, stating that the "handlers" were taking the decisions at the back but the people were turning out to his rallies in record numbers, a media report said.
"Four people plotted to kill me. I made a video and named those people and have stashed it abroad," Khan said, adding that it would be released in case something happens, Dawn reported.
He indicated that he received the information of this plot through the relationships he had formed while in power.
In his first address since the assassination attempt on him in Gujranwala on Thursday, in which Khan sustained bullet injuries in his leg, the PTI chief stated that he was aware of the plot to kill him.
"I'll come to the details of the attack later. I got to know the day before [the attack] that either in Wazirabad of Gujrat, they planned to kill me," he said, Dawn reported.
The former Prime Minister said that Pakistan's own agencies were not allowing democratic processes to continue.
"During the by-elections in July, all the state machinery was used, rigging was done, but PTI swept the elections. What happened next was that more pressure and threats were given. A handler came to Islamabad -- Major General Faisal -- and he said that he will show how to straighten them [PTI] out," Khan alleged, Dawn reported.
"More strictness started on media and journalists favouring PTI. Our MPAs were approached, scared and threatened to abandon me... they threatened to release inappropriate videos and blackmailed them."
Khan said that his party wasn't "made by the establishment" like the PPP and the PML-N, asserting that he came to power with the people's support, Dawn reported.
"The way the people supported me, I was surprised... we announced a long march on May 25. They staged three marches during our tenure. We thought the law and Constitution permitted us [to stage a protest].
"We thought they would give us permission because we have given them permission, he said. But instead they subjected our workers and leaders to violence.
"They shelled families in Islamabad... they thought the party would end but they didn't understand the [sentiments of the] nation because when decisions are made in closed rooms, you don't know what is happening," Khan said.
The US respects the unity and territorial integrity of Pakistan and does not support independence for Balochistan, a state department official has said.
A consignment of rice from Pakistan was found infested with one of the world's most destructive insect pests, Khapra beetle, by US customs officials at a port, officials said.
Maria Fernandes, a successful lawyer and part-time judge, said that she had decided to give the high-profile former minister a second chance, but warned he needs to change or "I'll sling him out".
