Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has claimed that the government wants to use the rise in militant attacks as a reason to delay elections in the country, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Addressing the nation via video link, former prime minister Imran Khan said the delay in announcing the poll dates will be a violation of the constitution.

"Article 6 of the constitution will apply to them if the elections are delayed," he remarked. “They are afraid that Imran Khan will win if the election is held on time.”

He alleged that terrorism was being used to delay elections. He said that now his life will be tried to be taken behind terrorism.

The former prime minister said that the victims of the Peshawar police line blast were not even buried and politics was started on elections. “KP Governor has written a letter for postponement of elections. He said that the letter of the Governor showed the intent that terrorism would be used against PTI.

Imran Khan slammed the government for shifting blame over rising terrorism and berating his party for its policy towards the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP). "I am not in power anymore. Had I been in the government, then I would have been answerable," the PTI chief said adding that terrorism was under control during his tenure.

The government has claimed it was the PTI government's policy to negotiate with the TTP that eventually led to the outlawed group's strengthening in the country.

Imran Khan said that he feared instability in Afghanistan, there were 30,000-40,000 fighters in Afghanistan. “Then, a decision was taken by the parliament members and the armed forces that these fighters would be settled in Pakistan." The PTI chief said that as he feared instability, his government tried to negotiate with the group to ensure that Afghanistan's fallout does not affect Pakistan.”

The former premier said that the current rulers just wanted to retain power by using neutral umpires and taking decisions in their government.

Imran Khan recalled that he had no difference with Gen Bajwa in his first term but later differences had arisen between him and Gen Bajwa on two issues. One was on the issue of Gen Faiz and other on the issue of accountability.

PTI chief Khan said those in power, and who ruled for 30 years before him, were responsible for the ongoing crisis.

The PTI chairman added that the incumbent rulers' only reason for coming into power was to get their corruption cases worth Rs1,100 billion "closed".

Earlier, PTI chief Imran Khan said that he stands by his statement about Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, saying that the former president can file a defamation case against him.

Talking to senior journalists at his residence on Wednesday, the PTI chairman stated that he stands by his statement, wherein he accused former president Asif Ali Zardari of financing a terrorist group to assassinate him.

Imran Khan also welcomed the defamation case filed by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), saying that he stands by his remarks about Asif Ali Zardari.

Replying to the question, the PTI chief said that “dissolving assemblies was the best strategy which pushed PDM government to a dead end.” “If the assemblies were not dissolved, the general elections would not have taken place,” he added.

He warned that the constitution will be violated if the caretaker governor failed to conduct the election within 90 days. He added that the party’s election campaign will be started with full strength after his last medical check-up.