Imran Khan recovers in hospital after assassination bid

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan accused his successor of involvement in a plot to kill him as he recovered in hospital from gunshot wounds following an assassination attempt.

Khan told reporters that Shehbaz Sharif, who replaced him as premier following a vote of no confidence in April, masterminded the attack along with Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and a senior army commander.

"These three decided to kill me," Khan said in his first public appearance since the shooting, adding that two gunmen were involved.

The government has denied any part, and blamed the assassination attempt on a lone assailant fueled by religious extremism. The military called his accusations "baseless and irresponsible".

The attack on Khan's convoy killed one man and wounded at least 10, significantly raising the stakes in a political crisis that has gripped the South Asian nation since Khan's ousting.

The 70-year-old former international cricket star had been leading a campaign convoy of thousands since last week from Lahore to the capital Islamabad.

Sitting in a wheelchair -- his right leg in a cast and left leg heavily bandaged -- Khan spoke for over an hour, railing against the government and establishment he accuses of unseating him.

He said his opponents wanted to accuse him of "desecrating religion, or desecrating the prophet" and would then blame a religious extremist for killing him.

Khan offered no evidence to support his claims.