Pakistan has dropped to Myanmar, Sudan's level in rule of law index: Imran Khan

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has said that there is no democracy, prosperity or future for the country if there is no rule of law.

"Without rule of law we will neither have democracy (freedom) or prosperity nor a future," the deposed prime minister said in another condemnation of the ongoing crackdown on his party after the May 9 violence in which government and military installations were attacked by enraged PTI workers protesting against his arrest.

He also pointed out that Pakistan's position in the Rule of Law index had declined significantly since the clampdown was launched.

"Pakistan was 129 out of 140 countries in the rule of law index before the crackdown on PTI was unleashed with an assault on our fundamental rights never experienced before by the nation. Today we have fallen to the levels of Myanmar and Sudan where might is right is the law,"

Earlier, Khan had lamented the crackdown on his party in an interview as well.

"Constitution and law allow us to protest peacefully. The government made a list of 23,000 PTI workers and 10,000 were arrested," Khan said in an interview with Independent Urdu.

The detainees are not being allowed to meet their lawyers, he said, adding if civilians are tried in military courts, then democracy is over.

"Semi-martial law has been imposed. They are planning to crush PTI."

He was also asked about the Supreme Court's order directing polls in Punjab on May 14.

"Elections did not take place despite Supreme Court's order."

The country is running on might is the right formula, he said, adding their first goal is to eliminate PTI and bring back Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz supremo Nawaz Sharif.

'PTI doesn't need electables anymore'

Moreover, expressed confidence in his party's popularity among the masses, saying he doesn't need "electables" anymore.

The former prime minister, currently facing a slew of legal challenges after being voted out of office, boasted that the PTI has the largest vote bank in the country.

"If you have that much vote big, it doesn't matter who is leaving and joining the party," he said.

He was also asked to comment on the mass exodus of leaders from the party as several senior PTI leaders — including Fawad Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Aamir Kiyani, Memood Moulvi, Saifullah Niayzi, Ali Zaidi, and Imran Ismail — have announced to part ways with Imran Khan and condemned May 9 events.

The PTI chief, however, claimed that Pakistan Democratic Movement's (PDM) vote bank has fallen and whenever elections are held, the PTI will win.

"We have given tickets to more than 300 people, the rest are hiding."

To a question over his renewed offer for negotiations, Khan said the talks have been going on, but there is no response from the other side.

"Those who seek a solution, hold talks. The solution is an election and they don't want it and are running away from it."

Slamming the government for the deteriorating economy, Khan said that the country is headed towards default and witnessing the highest inflation in its history.

"Everyone is afraid of PTI," he maintained.