Imran alleges his removal was orchestrated by Gen Bajwa, not the US

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan took a U-turn over his stance on the US behind his removal from the prime minister's office in 2022.

The former prime minister responded to eight questions asked by renowned journalist Mehdi Hasan.

The renowned anchor, through written questions, asked Mr Khan if he still believed the US was involved in toppling his government on April 10, 2022 and his imprisonment.

Who do you blame for your current imprisonment? Your Pakistani political rivals, the Pakistani military, the United States? Or all of the above? Do you still believe the Biden administration was involved in a coup to remove you from office?

In response, the 72-year-old politician held the former chief of army staff General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa responsible for orchestrating the ordeal meted upon him.

"Over these past two years, I've had ample time to reflect, analyzing every move and its consequences. After 11 months in prison, I am certain that this ordeal was orchestrated solely by General Bajwa. I hold no one else responsible," the veteran politico said.

The deposed premier alleged that the entire conspiracy was hatched by the former top armyman to secure another extension.

"He meticulously planned and executed this scheme, presenting himself as a deceitful figure, creating lies and false narratives to cause both national and international chaos - all to secure his extension. He utterly failed to grasp the detrimental impact of his actions on democracy and Pakistan."

The incarcerated leader claimed that Gen Bajwa painted him as an anti-American in front of the current US government.

"General Bajwa single-handedly spread stories to countries like the U.S., painting me as anti-American or uninterested in good relations with them," Mr Khan alleged.

He further refuted the narrative that the decision to visit Russia during the Ukraine war was made by him alone.

"The trip was a collective decision made after extensive deliberations. Yet, he portrayed it as an anti-American initiative by Imran Khan alone. His insatiable thirst for power rendered him unpredictable. God knows what other lies he disseminated to various countries. His personal greed turned him into an bull in a china shop," Imran Khan said.