Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s security beefed up after ‘assassination plot’ claims

Separately, the Prime Minister’s Office said instructions were also issued to the provincial governments about providing fool-proof security arrangements for Imran Khan.

The Pakistan government on May 16 beefed up security for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, two days after Mr. Khan claimed that there was a plot to assassinate him.

Mr. Khan claimed on May 14 that a “conspiracy” to assassinate him was being hatched in Pakistan and abroad, warning that if anything happens to him, the people will come to know about the perpetrators through a video message he has recently recorded and placed in a safe place.

“A conspiracy is afoot to take my life. I got full knowledge of this conspiracy a few days ago. The conspiracy is being hatched here and abroad against me in closed rooms. I have recorded a video about this conspiracy, naming all those involved in it. If something happens to me then the people will come to know who were behind this conspiracy,” Mr. Khan had said during a rally in Sialkot in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

On May 16, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to “provide foolproof security” to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief after he was given a detailed briefing by the Interior Ministry on the security of the former premier, the official Associated Press of Pakistan news agency reported.

Separately, the Prime Minister’s Office said instructions were also issued to the provincial governments about providing fool-proof security arrangements for Mr. Khan.

"A chief security officer has also been provided to the former Prime Minister on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz," it said in a statement.

An interior ministry spokesperson also issued a statement confirming that in light of the PM's instructions, fool-proof security arrangements for Mr. Khan had been ensured.