<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bolder; font-size: 1rem;">Pakistan's ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan has spoken to a huge crowd of supporters in his first public appearance since being shot at and injured three weeks ago.</span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Crowds gathered for a rally in the city of Rawalpindi, taking flags and signs.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The former cricket star urged them to live without fear of death.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One person was killed and several others injured during the attack earlier this month, which unfolded as Mr Khan led a similar event.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The former PM was injured in his right leg and underwent surgery. He has accused members of the current government of plotting the attack, in Wazirabad.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Authorities have rejected the accusation and released a video purporting to show a confession from a man they describe as the only suspect in the shooting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the rally in Rawalpindi, Mr Khan's supporters erupted in cheers when he appeared after a delay of several hours.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One woman told the BBC she had come because Mr Khan's cause was that of the people of Pakistan, not of himself. "I am here for a leader who is supporting us," she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"There is one man only who has been raising his voice against all the establishment," a man in the crowd said. "He is here to look forward, he has given us a vision."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The atmosphere was jovial despite heightened security, with crowds chanting slogans in support of the former prime minister and popular Pakistani songs blaring out from loudspeakers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr Khan alleged that "three criminals" were waiting to make another attempt on his life.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, he told supporters, "fear makes an entire nation into slaves".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During his speech, he also admitted failures in tackling corruption during his premiership - saying he "failed in bringing the powerful under the law".</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The event was described as the climax of Mr Khan's "long march" - a series of rallies during which he has been demanding early elections.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Beforehand, authorities put up roadblocks and urged him to call off the rally - citing the risk of violence.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The former international cricket star was removed from office earlier this year after losing a confidence vote in parliament. He was later disqualified from holding public office.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He has been accused of failing to accurately declare details of presents he received and sold off while in office - including Rolex watches, a ring and cuff links.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr Khan denies any wrongdoing and describes the case against him as politically motivated.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Following his ejection from office, he has become a vocal critic of Pakistan's government and its powerful military leadership.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Mr Khan remains very popular in the country and attracts large turnouts at his rallies.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The government has repeatedly said it will hold a national poll next year, as planned.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Pakistan has a long history of deadly political violence. In the most high-profile case, former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated at a public rally in 2007. BBC</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">bnbd24/kh</div>