Former secretary for security, FATA and political analyst Brigadier (retired) Mehmood Shah has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan used the “US conspiracy” narrative to become popular, adding that another way to gain popularity was to start “blaming” the establishment.

“Imran Khan did exactly according to a formula of politics,” Brig (rtd) Shah said speaking exclusively on Aaj News programme ‘Spot Light’ with host Munezae Jahangir.

A day earlier, in an interview with Financial Times, Imran said that he wanted to mend relations with the US despite accusing it of treating Pakistan as a ‘slave’.

“As far as I’m concerned it’s over, it’s behind me,” he said of the alleged conspiracy

The former premier said he no longer “blamed” the US and wants a “dignified” relationship if re-elected.

Following a rise in popularity due in part to his anti-American rhetoric, many observers now predict that Imran Khan and his party might witness record success in the next general elections due to be held next year.

Shah said that it was not as easy that the matter would end after the PTI chief gave up on the conspiracy stance, adding that there were many of the PTI chief’s statements that deteriorated Pakistan’s foreign policy and also Imran Khan’s relations with the establishment.

He said that it was possible that Imran Khan might start praising the establishment in the near future to garner their support.

Speaking on the same talk show, PPP leader Qadir Khan Mandokhail said that Imran Khan wanted to bring real freedom but he was not ready to hold dialogue with political rivals to resolve the issues.

The PPP leader said that in past a charter of democracy agreement was signed between PML-N and PPP.

He said that if the PTI still did not accept the coalition government then they should leave the Punjab government.