Islamabad, May 10: Pakistan experienced widespread violence across several cities following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on corruption charges. Leaders of his party have called for a countrywide strike on Wednesday, condemning the arrest and criticizing the government for its alleged fascist tendencies.
The arrest of the 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician was carried out in a controversial manner by the paramilitary Rangers, who forcibly entered a room in the Islamabad High Court where Khan was attending a corruption case hearing.
While the court later deemed Khan’s arrest legal, it criticized the improper execution of the arrest and initiated action against the Islamabad police chief and interior secretary.
Expressing strong condemnation, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leadership announced the nationwide strike, urging the public to join the streets in protest against the perceived rise of fascism. They referred to the situation as a “make or break moment.”
The news of Khan’s arrest sparked protests throughout the country, with his supporters engaging in clashes with security institutions, including the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters, ignoring the prohibition of gatherings imposed in certain provinces. Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi, and Rawalpindi witnessed some of the most intense incidents of violence and vandalism.
According to PTI, at least two deaths and numerous injuries among party workers were reported in clashes with law enforcement agencies. Geo News reported three deaths, along with significant property damage and vehicle destruction. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) intends to present Khan before a court on Wednesday to request his physical remand for further investigation into the Al-Qadir Trust case, which allegedly caused a loss of over Rs 50 billion to the national exchequer.
To ensure security, the Islamabad police announced that the hearing would be held at the heavily guarded Police Lines area instead of the Islamabad District Courts Complex. Only relevant individuals and lawyers would be allowed entry, with heightened security measures in place.
In addition to the ongoing protest, Khan is expected to appear in another court for the Toshakhana case, where he faces allegations of concealing proceeds from the sale of state gifts. Meanwhile, his supporters are urging convergence in Islamabad to demand their leader’s release.
The PTI leadership decided to challenge Khan’s arrest in the Islamabad High Court and plans to contest the legal ruling in the Supreme Court. The party distanced itself from incidents of arson and violence, stating that infiltrators sought to provoke a ban on the party.
Following the arrest, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi convened an emergency committee meeting to assess the situation and devise a comprehensive plan of action. The committee consists of prominent party members and senators.
The international community has taken note of the situation, with the United States and the European Union calling for respect for democratic principles, the rule of law, and restraint during these challenging times in Pakistan.
