'I still can't walk properly'

Almost five months after a gunman with an automatic pistol sprayed three bullets into his legs at a political rally, Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan is back on the campaign trail. The former cricket superstar turned firebrand politician addressed a rally in Lahore on Saturday for the first time since November’s attack, with ever-present fears for his safety meaning he had to speak from behind a bulletproof screen.

- Sean O’Grady

Speaking in an interview with The Independent, Mr Khan reveals that his right leg has suffered potentially long-lasting damage as a result of the assassination attempt. While the two bullet wounds to his thigh have healed, a third shattered his shin bone and damaged the nerve. "I have had more problems with the impact of the nerve damage than the bullet wounds," he says. "I still can't walk properly, I still don't have proper sensation in my right foot. That's a lasting effect, which the doctor says eventually with time will heal, will go away."

Despite his ongoing recovery, Mr Khan and his PTI party should be in full election mode by now - a key vote for control of Punjab, the country's most populous state, had been due to take place on 30 April. But with inflation spiralling out of control and massive street protests gathering in support of Mr Khan, the election commission cited "security concerns" and suspended the vote until October when the next general election is also due to take place.

In his speech, Mr Khan lambasted the government with familiar accusations of corruption, intimidation and an illegal conspiracy to oust him in last year's no-confidence motion. The Pakistan government has repeatedly denied Mr Khan's claims, and says they are being used to whip up his supporters for an attempted return to power. A compelling speaker with a natural ability to connect with his fervently supportive audience, Mr Khan said it was an "odd" feeling to return to campaigning behind a screen that makes it difficult to see the crowd. "Sometimes you feel you're just talking to yourself," he complains.