Unfazed and surprisingly alert: Imran Khan warns of threats to Pakistan’s democracy after launch on bail

Imran Khan was very unsure he’d make it out of the High Court on Friday evening, even after he’d been bailed for 2 weeks.

His camp had heard rumours that he was about to be rearrested on one other cost.

But he ultimately did handle to get on the highway, driving via the early hours of the morning to get again to Lahore.

We have been making the identical journey, the highway littered along with his supporters, some who stayed up til gone 3am to greet him. After days of witnessing rocks being thrown, tear fuel fired, it felt like an incongruously upbeat second.

Come morning, his barely bleary eyed followers have been gathered outdoors his compound. Some have arrange camp there, promoting meals and flags.

We abruptly acquired a name from Mr Khan’s safety staff telling us he’d agreed to our interview request.

Minutes later, we have been ushered via metallic gates and down a protracted path. After a number of safety checks, we sat outdoors anticipating we might quickly be inside.

But, Pakistan’s former prime minister was busy holding conferences along with his staff.

They after all have so much to debate and little doubt a method to co-ordinate. And it is a slimmed down staff doing it as a result of a lot of the PTI management have additionally been arrested.

Hours go and we hear he’s now about to handle the nation. He is a extremely efficient communicator and seems hyper centered on deciding when and the way to craft his message.

Minutes after he finishes his speech, we’re invited in. We’re advised we will set-up our cameras within the room the place he’d simply spoken.

It’s made for TV – full with broadcast lights – a reduction to my cameraman Duncan Sharp who manages to quickly arrange for the interview.

Mr Khan seems chipper once we meet him – seemingly unfazed by the shortage of sleep and searching surprisingly alert given he’d spent the week in detention and going through large authorized jeopardy.

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Democracy he tells me is at an “all-time low”, the institution are focusing on him as a result of they’re “petrified” of elections and the navy orchestrated his “abduction”.

But there’s additionally a delicate shift in his tone. He would not repeat the allegation that the military chief plotted to assassinate him, one thing he did simply days earlier than his arrest by Pakistani paramilitary.

I’m wondering if a deal has been executed, some form of compromise. What he desires above all else after all is an early election. But that’s nonetheless up within the air and the specter of re-arrest remains to be very actual.

Mr Khan faces greater than 100 expenses towards him. He is free for now – properly, till 17 May a minimum of. He desires to get again to campaigning this week.

His problem will probably be discovering a option to encourage, and never incite – all whereas ensuring his opponents do not lock him up once more.