Assassination attempt on Imran Khan
Sent to Thomas Mooney, Chief-of-Staff for Senator The Hon. Penny Wong
9 November 2022
Dear Mr Mooney
As a Pakistani-born Australian, I was heartened by Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s speedy condemnation of the assassination attempt on Imran Khan and his party members on Friday (4 November). However, in the interests of democracy, fairness, and global security, I would urge your government that a stronger statement and stronger stand needs to be taken.
It is unlikely this shooting is the hand of one lone madman. It is more likely, given the state of Pakistan, that this was a well-planned assassination attempt on a democratically-elected popular leader that current rulers want to see out of their way. While this shooting has been registered by the police now, the names associated with the event do not include the several corrupt politicians and cabinet members that are on the record for threatening Khan in the past.
All other democratically-elected leaders should be deeply concerned about such an event, and as a global peer and equal, Prime Minister Albanese should also make a statement condemning this attempt on Khan’s life, just as his brave counterpart Prime Minister Trudeau has. I have faith that our prime minister knows this is the correct course of action, but he needs to step out in public and say it.
The world must understand that Pakistan needs Imran Khan. He has proven to have the best interests of his people and country at heart and has successfully established a sense of national pride. He says he came into politics to rid his country of corruption and build an Islamic welfare state based on the concept of the state of Medina by the Holy Prophet Muhammad – one of compassion and equality, which takes care of its lower level of society. During his time in politics and since his ousting, all his actions support this stated aim. In fact, more than a month ago, he said in public statements that these people would make an attempt on his life. Exactly as it has now played out.
As an independent and sensible voice who works for his country, he has the ability to save it from the economic and democratic collapse it now surely faces. Pakistanis are demanding a fair and fresh election – a massively popular campaign that Imran Khan is leading, having won almost all of the bi-elections recently – so it is no surprise that the establishment wishes to block him and the elections.
The corrupt Pakistan politicians, with the help of the establishment who now rule, have amassed billions in personal wealth, particularly in the UK, and bankrupted their country. These same people are implicated in the custodial torture, indecent treatment, and brutal mocking of a serving senator and Imran Khan’s Chief of Staff from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). It is time for these people to face the consequences of their actions and be condemned by other democracies.
A court hearing under establishment eyes is not enough. What is required now is an independent international authority to investigate this attempt on Khan’s life.
The situation is extremely serious. It seems to me that the only fair and sensible way forward from here is for a new election under transparent international scrutiny. I believe Australia has the opportunity here to step forward and be a voice of clarity and honesty. If we do, I am sure that other similar nations will follow.
Yours sincerely
Sakib Awan
Pyrmont, Sydney