Imran predicts 'Sri Lanka-like debacle'

Warns of horse-trading in the upcoming Senate elections

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan once again condemned the integrity of the February 8 general election, forecasting a scenario akin to Sri Lanka's recent political turbulence, attributing it to what he termed as the "theft of the mandate".

During an informal exchange with journalists at his confinement in Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, the incarcerated former prime minister doubled down on his allegations, asserting that his prior predictions had proven accurate.

"My all predictions have proven true," he asserted, underscoring his stance against engaging in negotiations with the incumbent rulers for any form of reconciliation or compromise.

Read more: PTI’s Haleem Adil demands 'lifting ban' on Imran visits

"Each and everything is based on lies... the election was a lie... the security threat was also a lie," he added, stressing that PTI was deliberately sidelined from the electoral arena.Despite the electorate's purported retaliation on polling day, Khan lamented that the desired change through democratic means was thwarted.

He vowed to persist in peaceful protests against the alleged rigging and pursue legal recourse through the Supreme Court.Anticipating potential "horse-trading" in the upcoming Senate elections slated for April 2, the deposed PM decried the obstruction in meeting his legal counsel, a claim he made amid ongoing proceedings related to the £190m scam in the NAB court.

As Pakistan prepares to secure the final tranche of a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Imran cautioned against escalating inflation, foreseeing public discontent manifesting in street protests.

Earlier, the court recorded statements from three additional witnesses, adjourning further hearings till March 16.

On Tuesday, the Punjab government slapped a two-week ban on public visits, meetings, and interviews at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, citing "security" concerns—a decision denounced by PTI leaders who alleged it was a calculated manoeuvre to obstruct their access to party founder Imran Khan, presently held at the facility.