“Either tell us that the country would be better without me and I will be ready to step back,” Imran Khan said.

“Or tell us how the country would benefit from elections in October,” he said.

He also appealed to Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial to take notice of how fundamental rights were being ‘suspended’ in the country. He also said that justice from the court was now his ‘only hope’. He also said that history would not forget

He said that he ‘understood pressures’ being put on party members to quit the party and added that many workers were being kept in horrible conditions in ‘small cages’ despite the heat.

“I am telling my workers and office bearers to hide,” he said, “the darkness of night will not last long,” he said.

“I am happy that Shireen Mazari resigned to protect herself,” he said. “But who is suffering in all this? Pakistan’s politics.”

However, he added that anyone who thought the recent crackdown could end the party needed ‘to get their head examined’. He also added that even if everyone left the party, whoever he gave the ticket to would win elections.

Imran said that the media is completely under control in Pakistan, and said internet access was being limited in his residence to prevent him from reaching his followers.

Imran said that investigations into the events of May 9 is being would reveal that the attacks were ‘pre-planned’.

“The attack on the corp commander house is being used an an excuse to crack down on the party,” he said.

He also questioned why human rights organisations who had been vocal about freedom of speech and protest during his tenure were silent now.