Top US military source says Pak leader Imran Khan could be murdered at any time

WASHINGTON DC: A top US Military Intelligence source today warned that Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan could be killed in an assassination bid any time, even in the next few hours, either by certain rogue elements within the Pakistan army establishment or the Afghanistan Taliban or similar militant groups operating in the region.

Khan’s life is in grave danger as there are several very powerful entities both within and without the country (Pakistan) who want him dead. He may not survive till the time elections are held in Pakistan, the US official said on condition of anonymity, claiming that “elaborate and sophisticated plans are made to bump off Imran Khan and to ensure that he is not available during the national polls”. There is a lot of money and powerful people with international connections involved, the official said.

The 70-year-old former premier faces 37 or 40 cases filed against him by various law enforcement agencies in different parts of the country. These include five cases filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan in connection with alleged illegal foreign funding and using inappropriate or threatening language against the poll panel and its chairman as well as trying to influence the outcome of polls using certain banned or communally offensive methods.

Imran Khan’s security was beefed up after he survived an ‘assassination attempt’ during a rally in Wazirabad in Pakistan’s Punjab province last November. According to local newspaper, Dawn, a “special contingent of commandos from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” took charge of his security following the purported attack in which he was injured.

However, US Intelligence agencies tracking the political developments in Pakistan are of the view that the present ruling dispensation in Pakistan does not want Imran Khan to be “politically active” and his presence could lead to their downfall if polls are held in the next 6-10 months.

Imran Khan recently appeared in a Pakistan court wearing a bullet proof bucket-shaped contraption on his head with security guards carrying bullet proof shields.

A Pakistan high court on Thursday ruled that the former Pakistan prime minister should be provided security according to his status as an ex-premier.

The Islamabad High Court was hearing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief’s plea regarding being provided adequate security after Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah allegedly threatened him.