Pakistan amid high inflation: Imran Khan warns of Sri Lanka-like crisis

Rawalpindi, March 13: Imran Khan, the former prime minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) cautioned about an impending financial crisis and public unrest in the nation similar to that experienced by Sri Lanka, a media report said.

Khan expressed his concerns about a Sri Lanka-like scenario unfolding in Pakistan, where inflation is rising and the populace is bearing the brunt, insisting that his earlier predictions had come true, The Express Tribune reported.

Speaking to the media at the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he is currently being held, Khan criticized what he called the country's ongoing "deception," calling the recently concluded general elections fraudulent and alleging compromise within institutions."

"Institutions have been destroyed. The PTI was not allowed to compete in the elections. Although voters expressed their discontent on polling day, they did not accept the change through votes. By snatching the mandate, they have dashed the nation's hopes," Khan alleged, the report said.

As Pakistan prepares to seek the final tranche of a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the PTI founder warned that the nation would take to the streets if inflation rose again, according to Geo News.

Each and everything is based on lies... the election was a lie... the security threat was also a lie," he added.

The Punjab government, on Tuesday, imposed a two-week ban on public visits, meetings, and interviews at Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, citing "security" concerns—a decision denounced by PTI leaders who claimed it was a calculated plot to deny their access to party founder Imran Khan, who is currently lodged there.

[With Inputs from IANS]