Pakistan military dismisses Khan's theory US conspired to oust him
ISLAMABAD, April 16, (Reuters) - Pakistan's powerful military dismissed ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan's accusation that the United States had conspired to topple him in a parliamentary vote of confidence.
Khan, 69, who led the nuclear-armed South Asian country of 220 million people for 3-1/2 years, accused Washington of backing his ouster because he had visited Moscow against US advice. Washington denies the charge.
Khan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb 24, the day Russian forces invaded neighbouring Ukraine.
Khan initially blocked the no- confidence move, saying a forum of civil and military leaders, the National Security Committee, had endorsed the alleged conspiracy. The military's spokesman, Major General Babar
Iftikhar, denied this.
Pakistan's lower house of parliament eventually voted in favour of removing Khan from office on Sunday.
Opposition parties and analysts say the military helped Khan win election in 2018, which they both deny, but that support waned after a falling-out over the appointment of the country's next intelligence chief late last year.
Khan's former information minister, Fawad Chaudhry, called for the setting up of a judicial commission to probe into the accusation that the United States conspired to topple Khan.
Khan has aired the conspiracy allegations in his public rallies, demanding snap elections.
The next parliamentary election is due in 2023.