Imran Khan speaks after release: ‘This is a fight to the end for me’

Arriving at court amidst tight security and a charged atmosphere, Imran Khan. Pakistan's former Prime Minister faces dozens of legal cases, but dismisses them as politically motivated. His supporters went on the rampage after he was arrested earlier this week. In unprecedented scenes, they targeted buildings linked to Pakistan's military, which has long dominated political life. Khan's party denied that many believe the army helped bring him into power, then pushed him out and are now trying to prevent him from returning to office. But the Supreme Court ruled Khan's detention was illegal and today he was granted bail. Speaking to us, he struck a defiant tone.

It seems as if the government, the military leadership, are going to keep launching cases, keep trying to arrest you. Look, let me just tell you something. This is a fight to the end for me. If we do not have freedom, freedom comes from rule of law. When they protect your fundamental rights, at the moment they are not fundamental rights. I was here in the lead up to the 2018 elections. I, many others reported that it was, you had yes, a lot of genuine support, but you also had the tacit support of the military and that's what helped bring you into power.

And it's a case of live by the sword and die by the sword. They helped bring you in, they helped fish you out. I'm not today asking for support from the military. Clearly I'm not. Even then I never asked for support from the military. I am the cricket captain in 150 years of cricket history, brought in neutral ambiance. What were the reports of pre-Poll rigging, substantiated by lots of international organisations? The reason I'm asking, I don't want to dredge this stuff up, but the reason I'm asking is because I want to see if there's been an ideological shift within you.

Do you feel that you've learnt from past mistakes? I did not get any help in the 2018 elections. We won fair and square. And it is subsequently reflected that the party today, the entire political spectrum is petrified despite military help. They don't want elections because they know we'll sweep them. So what, the lesson I have learnt, this is the real point. The lesson I've learnt, that you cannot have rule of law in Pakistan. If there are sacred cows like the politicians who do corruption, they want immunity, like the NRO.

Or you have the military which is above law. You know, like right now, I mean, they picked me up from a high court, the military picked me up and abducted me. But the cases against Khan haven't been dropped. And practically everyone from his party's senior leadership is now in jail. This former minister arrested last night just hours after an interview with us. And the current government seemed determined to put Imran Khan back in jail. The attacks on sensitive buildings and installations were called, carried out, planned.

Who was the planner? Imran Khan. Who was the instigator? Imran Khan. Imran Khan supporters have shown their street power. His opponents insist he's helped fuel unrest and hasn't cooperated in corruption cases against him. But Khan's popularity is skyrocketing. And it doesn't seem anyone can hold him back. It's gone 11pm at night here and we've only just returned from court.

Imran Khan was granted bail in all the cases against him until next week. But right up until the last moment there were doubts about whether or not he was going to be released. He'll still face further court appearances. But despite all the challenges he's facing, Imran Khan right now in many ways seems to be the most powerful man in Pakistan. And today he's called out explicitly the man who's traditionally occupied that position, Pakistan's army chief. This is a showdown that's far from over. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

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