World
Nearly 1,000 of Imran Khan’s supporters detained – ahead of march to Pakistan’s capital to protest against his arrest
Supporters of Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, are planning a protest march to Islamabad today where he is being held in custody on corruption charges – after almost 1,000 of them were arrested in one province alone.
The 70-year-old was arrested by security forces at the High Court in the capital on Tuesday and dragged into an armoured vehicle and driven away.
Dozens of officers were involved in the arrest of Imran Khan in Islamabad. Pic: PTIofficial
Objects were set on fire by supporters of Imran Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan. Pic: AP
Violent clashes have erupted between his supporters and police in several cities following his detention, and at least two people have been killed – one in the southern city of Quetta, and the other in northwestern Pakistan.
Authorities in three of Pakistan’s four provinces have imposed an emergency order banning all gatherings following the violence. Two provinces have asking the federal government to deploy troops to restore order.
Police said 945 of Mr Khan’s supporters have been arrested in Punjab province, more than 130 officers have been injured, 25 police vehicles set on fire, and around 14 government buildings severely damaged and looted.
A court hearing scheduled for today to determine whether Mr Khan can be kept in custody took place at the police compound where he is being held, authorities said.
Pakistan’s GEO television broadcast footage showing Mr Khan appearing before a judge inside the temporary courtroom. The former premier was seen seated in a chair, holding documents, and appeared calm but tired.
The judge is expected to rule on the request for a 14-day detention later.
Clashes between Mr Khan’s supporters and police in Karachi, Pakistan. Pics: AP
In response to Mr Khan’s arrest, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party called for peaceful demonstrations across the country.
His supporters in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been asked to gather in the city of Swabi to leave for Islamabad as part of a convoy.
“We continue to call PTI family workers, supporters and the people of Pakistan onto the streets for peaceful protest against this unconstitutional behaviour,” said PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.
He added the party’s leadership is in Islamabad and would be seeking to challenge Mr Khan’s detention at the country’s supreme court.
Videos seen by Sky News in Pakistan show army bases being broken into by civilians and army vehicles being set alight in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
The home of Lieutenant General Salman Fayyaz Ghania – a top army chief – in the eastern city of Lahore was set on fire.
On Wednesday morning, police said at least 2,000 protesters were still surrounding the house, chanting slogans including, “Khan is our red line and you have crossed it”.
In the port city of Karachi, police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of Mr Khan’s supporters.
A billboard is set alight in Lahore, Pakistan. Pic: AP
An injured police officer in Karachi, Pakistan
In a statement, Pakistan’s information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb denounced the attacks by the ex-PM’s supporters, saying it was done “in an orchestrated manner on Imran Khan’s directions”.
“This can’t be tolerated, the law will take its course,” planning minister Ahsan Iqbal told a news conference. “These violent attacks were not the outcome of any public outpouring, they were planned by the PTI rank and file.”
Internet services have been suspended across the country and access to Twitter, YouTube and Facebook have been disrupted, according to officials at Pakistan’s telecommunication authority.
Pakistan’s paramilitary troops outside court. Pic: AP
Supporters of Mr Khan chant slogans next to burning tires during a protest in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Pic: AP
Mr Khan’s arrest came a day after the country’s powerful military criticised him for repeatedly accusing a senior military officer of trying to engineer his assassination and the former armed forces chief of being behind his removal from power last April.
He had recorded a video message before heading to Islamabad, claiming officials were out for his arrest to prevent him from campaigning.
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Imran Khan issued a video statement ahead of his detention
The cricketing hero-turned-politician – who has been pushing for new elections – has denounced the cases against him, which include terrorism charges, as a politically motivated plot by his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
He faces being barred from holding public office if convicted, with a general election scheduled to take place in November.
“Imran Khan will have to face the law and if he is cleared he will be contesting elections and if he is found guilty he will have to face the consequences,” said Mr Iqbal.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned of further disruption in the country.
The UK’s foreign secretary James Cleverly said: “The UK has a longstanding and close relationship with Pakistan. We are Commonwealth partners. We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want to see the rule of law adhered to.”