Pakistan Plunged into Chaos as Former Prime Minister Khan Faces Legal Proceedings
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Loading... - Feng Siong
- 11 May 2023
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Pakistan is facing widespread violence and protests as former Prime Minister Imran Khan makes his appearance in court. Reports from local media indicate that Khan was indicted by a Pakistani court on Wednesday for the alleged unlawful sale of state gifts during his premiership between 2018 and 2022. The events surrounding his court appearance have triggered clashes between his supporters and the police, leading to a surge in violence across the country. Tragically, the death toll has risen to four, with angry protesters even setting fire to a building that housed Radio Pakistan in the northwest.
In the nation's capital, Islamabad, a judge is currently considering a request to keep the 70-year-old opposition leader in custody for up to 14 days. Despite losing power last year, Khan remains a popular opposition figure in Pakistan. Interestingly, he has become the seventh former prime minister to be arrested in the country. The dramatic nature of Khan's arrest on Tuesday has deepened the political turmoil and sparked violent demonstrations. The clashes with the police have resulted in additional casualties, with two individuals losing their lives in Peshawar, and two others dying during confrontations on Wednesday.
In response to the escalating violence in the eastern Punjab province, where 157 police officers were injured in clashes with Khan's supporters, the local government has requested military intervention to restore order. GEO television in Pakistan aired footage showing Khan appearing before a judge inside a temporary court set up within a police compound. Despite the circumstances, Khan appeared calm but visibly tired, seated in a chair and holding documents. The judge is expected to announce the decision regarding the 14-day detention request later today. Meanwhile, Khan's legal team has challenged his arrest before the Islamabad High Court, seeking his immediate release.
The protests have not been limited to Islamabad, as Khan's supporters also targeted the building housing Radio Pakistan in Peshawar, causing damage and setting it on fire. The police reported that some employees were trapped inside the building, and efforts are underway to restore order and ensure their safety. Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, had initially called for peaceful demonstrations, but mobs, fueled by anger over his arrest, set fire to the residence of a senior army general in Lahore.
The arrest of Khan occurred while he was attending court proceedings related to multiple corruption charges filed by Islamabad police. Dozens of agents from the National Accountability Bureau, supported by paramilitary troops, stormed the courtroom after Khan's guards refused to open the door, resulting in a chaotic scene. Although Khan's supporters attempted to attack the military headquarters in Rawalpindi, located near Islamabad, they did not manage to reach the main building that houses the offices of army chief Gen. Asim Munir. Additionally, protesters tried to approach the prime minister's residence in Lahore but were confronted by baton-wielding police officers. Some demonstrators targeted vehicles carrying troops and engaged in physical altercations with armed soldiers. As of now, law enforcement has refrained from using firearms against the protesters.
The military has not officially commented on the attacks targeting its facilities, and none of the leaders from Khan's party have denounced these acts of violence against the military. According to a police statement, 945 Khan supporters have been arrested in eastern Punjab province since Tuesday, including Asad Umar, a senior leader from Khan's party. Additionally, dozens of supporters were detained in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, and other parts of the country.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the senior vice president of Khan's party, has appealed for peaceful demonstrations and urged followers not to engage in damaging public property or attacking offices. He emphasized that their party stands for peace. Qureshi also mentioned that they are considering challenging Khan's arrest in the Supreme Court. However, as the situation unfolds, around 2,000 protesters continue to surround the fire-damaged residence of Lt. Gen. Salman Fayyaz Ghani in Lahore, chanting slogans directed at the military.
To maintain control and security, the police have deployed a significant number of officers across the country. They have also placed shipping containers on a road leading to the sprawling police compound in Islamabad, where Khan is currently being held. Within the compound, a temporary court has been set up for security reasons, and it is there that Khan appeared before a judge.
Amid the escalating violence, Pakistan's telecommunication authority has taken measures to block access to social media platforms, including Twitter. The government has also suspended internet services in Islamabad and other cities, while some private schools have canceled classes for Wednesday.
Amnesty International, a human rights organization, has expressed alarm over reports of Pakistani authorities blocking mobile internet networks and social media platforms. With Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube suspended for a second day, Amnesty has urged authorities to exercise restraint and warned against potential human rights violations during clashes between law enforcement and Khan's supporters.
The National Accountability Bureau has a history of detaining and investigating former officials, including former prime ministers, politicians, and retired military officers. However, some perceive the NAB as a tool used by those in power, particularly the military, to suppress political opponents. In fact, when Khan was in power, his government utilized the NAB to arrest Shahbaz Sharif, the then-opposition leader. However, Sharif managed to oust Khan through a no-confidence vote in 2022, and the charges against him were eventually dropped due to insufficient evidence.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sharif has returned to Pakistan from a trip to the United Kingdom and is scheduled to hold a Cabinet meeting to address the latest developments. His brother, Nawaz Sharif, who also served as prime minister, has faced multiple arrests on corruption allegations.
Later on Wednesday, Khan made another appearance in a different courtroom, this time at a high-security court, where he was formally indicted in the ongoing graft case. He pleaded not guilty, according to local media reports.
As the violence continues to escalate, diplomats from various countries, as well as ordinary citizens in Pakistan, have chosen to stay home for their safety. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad has canceled all consular appointments for Wednesday and issued a nationwide security alert, advising American citizens to review their personal security plans and avoid large crowds.
