Imran demands resignation of PM, two others 'behind assassination bid'

Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan demanded the resignations of the three people including the prime minister and the interior minister, who he claimed were behind Thursday's apparent assassination attempt on him.  

The Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman also said on Friday that he would resume his protest march to Islamabad once he recovers, as his supporters staged nationwide protests, reports Reuters and Dawn.

Imran Khan asked his party workers and supporters to continue protesting against the assassination attempt on him until three "accused" resigned from their post.

He said that Interior Minister "Rana Sanaullah, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Major General Faisal" plotted to kill him without providing any evidence for the claims.

"I will take to the streets immediately after recovering and will give a call for [march towards] Islamabad," he said while addressing his supporters from Shaukat Khanum Hospital in Lahore where he is undergoing treatment.

The PTI chief addressed the nation for the first time after he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during the party's long march in Punjab's Wazirabad on Thursday.

Imran said to ensure the impartial and fair probe it was necessary for the three top officials to step down as "all agencies are under their control".

Imran asked the supporters to "fully participate" in the protest to demand the resignation of the three "suspects".

"Never compromise on your independence. Protest is your right," he added

He also asked the army chief to make the senior military official resign who he accused of being involved in the assassination attempt.

"This general is taking country towards destruction," said Imran while alleging that the same military official was behind the torture on PTI leaders Shahbaz Gill and Azam Swati.

Imran maintained that it was incumbent upon the army chief to take action against the "black sheep to save country from disintegration".

Khan was shot in the leg on Thursday as he waved to crowds from a truck-mounted container from which he was leading a protest march on the capital, Islamabad, to press for early elections and the resignation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.