Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan made his first public appearance by addressing hundreds of thousands of his supporters after he was shot in an assassination attempt near Wazirabad, Punjab province, on October 28.

Meeting with his supporters in the city of Rawalpindi, Khan announced that he had decided not to be a part of “the system” and would withdraw from the assemblies. Khan stated that his party had decided not to go to Islamabad to avoid any violence or chaos and that he would soon discuss the decision with the prime ministers and parliamentary party.

Accusing members of the current government of planning the attack in Wazirabad, Khan told his supporters not to be afraid and added “Fear enslaves an entire nation,”.

Khan claimed that the assassination attempt against him was carried out by three gunmen.