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Amid Exodus From PTI, Imran Khan Alleges Deserters Set to Form 'King's Party'

© AP Photo / K.M. ChaudaryPakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks during a news conference at his home, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, May 18, 2023.
Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks during a news conference at his home, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, May 18, 2023. - Sputnik India, 1920, 31.05.2023
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The government has launched a massive crackdown on Imran Khan's supporters and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots.
Amid a growing exodus of senior politicians from his political outfit, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has alleged that the deserters were on course to establish a "King's party", formed from a section of workers of the PTI, local media reported on Wednesday.
The PTI chairman, however, claimed that such efforts failed in the past and would not succeed this time as well.
With PTI feeling the heat from law enforcement agencies, Khan stated that the forthcoming elections in Pakistan could see an alliance between the "King's party", the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan People's Party of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
But the cricketer-turned-politician raised questions, saying if such an alliance could bring the country out of the current political and financial instability.
"The effective governance that Pakistan now desperately needs comes from popular support, not from the establishment's backing," Khan said in a video message to party workers.
The 70-year-old opposition leader also accused the Sharif-led government of using pressure tactics, forcing senior PTI members to abandon the party.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan during a news conference in the Shaukat Khanum hospital, while being treated for a gunshot wound in Lahore, Pakistan, on Nov. 4, 2022. - Sputnik India, 1920, 28.05.2023
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Khan noted that the government was targeting the second rung of the party, including PTI ticket holders who would be contesting the upcoming provincial polls for the Punjab assembly.

"Now, they are trying to break away the ticket holders [for Punjab Assembly polls]," Khan said before adding that the government's attempts were met with resistance from PTI workers. "First of all, I mostly gave the tickets to party ideologues, who are now resisting the pressure. Secondly, people are angry and frustrated at being denied their rights."

Khan admitted that his party was facing a tough time as the state authorities "were out to crush PTI".
"The police have a one-point agenda: to arrest those who have any association with the PTI, even at the lowest levels," Khan elaborated.
Khan's latest comments about police action on his party workers come at a time when Pakistan's security agencies have been tightening their noose around his supporters and senior PTI members.
Law enforcers have arrested thousands of PTI workers for allegedly carrying out violent attacks on military installations and state institutions following Khan's arrest in a corruption case earlier this month.
Many senior politicians associated with the PTI have since then distanced themselves from the party.
Among the high-profile figures who have disassociated themselves from PTI are former federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, PTI Senior Vice-President Shireen Mazari, and party Secretary General Asad Umar.
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