Former head of ISI intelligence agency is guiding Imran Khan's planned march on Islamabad to force new elections, Pakistan's information minister claims
2:17PM BST 12 Aug 2014
The former chief of Pakistan's ISI intelligence agency is guiding Imran Khan's march on Islamabad to topple Nawaz Sharif's government, a senior minister has claimed.
The allegation that Lt-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha is serving as "strategic advisor" for the demonstrations reflects growing tension in the capital as Mr Khan's planned march from Lahore to Islamabad on Thursday draws nearer. Soldiers have been deployed outside the National Assembly, the president's house and other sensitive sites to stop the marchers entering the capital's central 'red zone'.
The former Pakistan cricket captain and opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman is expected to lead an estimated 60,000 supporters on the march, which is expected to be joined by a further 50,000 supporters of the popular Muslim cleric Tahirul Qadri who has called for a 'revolution' to oust Nawaz Sharif's government.
Mr Khan has claimed the 2013 election result, in which Mr Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (N) won an 86-seat majority, was distorted by widespread ballot rigging in at least 35 constituencies. He has alleged that extra ballot papers were printed and that senior judges, officials and returning officers were involved in a conspiracy. He has demanded a recount in those constituencies but Mr Sharif has offered an audit in only ten constituencies.
Mr Sharif, the prime minister, is expected to make a last ditch appeal to Mr Khan for new talks to resolve their dispute. The PTI leader however has rejected his overtures and insisted he will not enter talks until after his planned protests on Thursday.
The growing tension in the capital intensified today after the government's information minister Pervaiz Rashid claimed Mr Khan's campaign was being driven by the former head of the ISI intelligence agency Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha. He retired as director-general in 2012 but has been widely believed to have been a supporter of Mr Khan.
Speculation that he is playing role in the current dispute grew amid reports that he had returned to Lahore from Dubai where he now works. The fact that the rumours have been circulated by government ministers reflects the febrile atmosphere in the country.
Hasan Askari Rizvi, a leading political and military analyst, said the minister's claim is unsubstantiated and reflects the government's increasing desperation. "There is a lot of desperation and the government is searching for ways to contain the two protest leaders and their followers", he said.
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