Doctored videos aim to tarnish image: Imran

PTI chief Imran Khan on Tuesday expressed sounded alarms that the “thieves” – an epithet he used to refer to leaders of the coalition government – were going to drop “objectionable” videos of him using ‘deepfake’ technology in an attempt to defame him publicly.

Addressing a rally in Nankana Sahib, the former prime minister said that political rivals had now resorted to doctoring his videos with the help of high-tech deception to incriminate him with fake depictions in the video.

The PTI chief appeared on alert in the wake of a steady drip of audio leaks purportedly featuring him and other senior party leaders discussing the much-touted “threat cipher” and tactics to strategize the narrative around the Cablegate affair.

During Tuesday’s rally, Imran announced that his party was going to approach courts to bring to light those responsible for the bugging of the Prime Minister Office (PMO). He said the purpose of knocking on the court’s doors is to find out which agency was involved in taping calls of the country’s top office.

Read Imran hints at moving court over audio leaks

However, Imran sarcastically “thanked” the government for opening inquiries into the matter of the cipher and alleged that the investigation committee of the government was self-seeking.

“If an investigation is to be done, then an independent judicial commission consisting of non-controversial judges should be formed for an inquiry,” he demanded.

He added that he did not trust the government’s commission over the cypher issue because they were part of the conspiracy.

He went on to bemoan the “malicious” treatment meted out to him as though he was an enemy.

The deposed former premier also lashed out at the Sharif family, pointing out that the Panama Leaks had revealed that PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz owned four flats in London. “Whereas, their source of income shows they don't even have enough money to buy such expensive flats.”

While reacting to the current wave of inflation in the country, he said that prices of electricity, diesel, and petrol have doubled in recent times, adding that PTI tried to build an exemplary education system and administration but his government was ousted through foreign conspiracy.

The former PM went on to say that "The time is near when I will announce the long march call, and I am preparing my nation for the long march. This long march will be the biggest march in history," Imran added.

"In our country, law does not have much clout to apprehend powerful dacoits, and the following recent NAB amendments, no one can touch these thieves because the incumbent rulers made these amendments to get out of the cases," the PTI chairman added.