Former prime minister Imran Khan has said the incumbent government led by PM Shehbaz Sharif is bent on handing over land to the US so that it can build military bases in Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman repeated his claims that the PML-N led coalition government was subservient to US interests.

“If given the chance, he (PM Shehbaz) would dig the graves of Kashmiris and make friends with India while allowing US to have bases in Pakistan and joining the US war.

He said that the day was not far when the government would recognise Israel diplomatically. “Their ideology has nothing to do with Pakistan,” while accusing Shehbaz of leading the country towards anarchy.

He also launched a volley of criticism at the government over alleged harassment of journalists and clampdown on social media.

“You can give envelopes (bribe) to journalists to shut their mouths. But how will you stop social media,” he said. He cited the names of multiple journalists who have claimed that they have received threatening phone calls and faced intimidatory tactics, including Ayaz Amir who was assaulted over the weekend.

He said the judiciary needs to step forth and clarify whether Pakistan was under a state of martial law and whether fundamental rights have been suspended. “Is this occupied Kashmir or Palestine,” he continued in the same vein.

“No government does this to its people,” he said while claiming to have knowledge of who was behind such actions. He said he was keeping it quiet in order to save the country from harm.

“I have kept a video recording in a safe place. If something happens to me, people will know who betrayed me. If I am harassed, I will be forced to speak out and put everything in front of the nation,” he said.