How can I display a Codeigniter 3 pagination as JSON?

I don't think this will work out.

Code:

$this->pagination->create_links()

This code as far as I know only generates HTML template. 

I had a similar issue and I have created custom library that can output it as JSON object.

To create the pagination you need the total pages count and amount of results per page.

Code:

$res['max_pages'] = ceil($totalImagesCount / MAX_RESULTS_PER_PAGE);

This is some example code I have used.

I hope I help you a bit!