Plea seeking probe into ‘threat letter’ to PM filed in SC

Imran Khan had claimed he had evidence that foreign elements wanted to oust his govt

ISLAMABAD:

The issue of a “threat letter” – which Prime Minister Imran Khan had claimed in a March 27 public gathering was evidence of “foreign powers” behind the opposition’s no-confidence move to oust his government – has landed in the Supreme Court.

Advocate Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta on Wednesday filed a petition in the top court seeking an inquiry into the letter. The Federation of Pakistan through the Law and Justice Division secretary has been named as the respondent.

The petitioner contended that it was an extraordinary situation, which might cause a law and order situation to develop in the country by creating hatred against friendly countries.

He added that the situation required immediate steps to ease the "mental agony" of the common Pakistani.

"The gravity of the situation needs the attention of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to take immediate step[s] to find out the truth about [the] subject matter," the petition read.

Also read: PM Imran to show 'threatening letter' to allies, journalists

The petitioner asked the court to issue directions to the respondent to hand over the letter to the civil and military authorities concerned to investigate into the matter.

During his March 27 power show, PM Imran had pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket and waved it at the crowd, claiming that it was evidence of a global conspiracy to oust his government.

He had further maintained that external elements were using local politicians and money to “mend the country’s foreign policy” without specifying any person or the country behind the letter referred to as the ‘evidence’ of his claim.

He had added that foreign elements were involved in changing regimes in Pakistan in the past but the time had changed now.

Also read: Opposition urges PM Imran to resign as PTI loses majority in NA

“Attempts are being made through foreign money to change the government in Pakistan. Our people are being used, mostly inadvertently, but some are willingly using money against us,” the premier had claimed, adding that he along with foreign minister, among others, knew about the conspiracy for months and also knew from what places attempts were being made to exert pressure.

PM Imran had said that he rarely wrote his speeches. However, he especially wrote one for the party’s “historic” public gathering titled “Amr Bil Maroof” at Islamabad’s Parade Ground amid the looming no-trust voting against him in the National Assembly so that he did not get emotional and say things that might affect the country’s foreign policy.

“We have been threatened in writing but we will not compromise on national interest,” he had announced before a charged crowed.