The situation surrounding former Prime Minister Imran Khan continues to cause social tension in Pakistan. Pakistani police fired tear gas at the grounds of Khan’s home in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday after a night of violent clashes between security personnel and the former prime minister’s supporters. This is reported by international news agencies. On images that by Khan’s Pakistan party were shared showed police using tear gas and water cannons against Khan’s supporters in an attempt to disperse them. Khan supporters are said to have thrown stones at the police.
The authorities have been making several attempts for weeks to arrest Khan (70). The opposition leader, accused of corruption, would not appear in court. In the meantime, he continues to hide in his home, while it is surrounded by the police. Some 69 people are said to have been injured in the collisions, including 34 police officers.
Pakistan has been rumbling for days after people in several cities heeded Khan’s call to demonstrate. He posted a video on social media showing his asked supporters to “come out” to support his movement if apprehended. Several protests then broke out in major cities in Pakistan. After his impeachment in April last year, Khan became embroiled in several court cases. According to him, these are intended to sideline him politically.
No public function
The popular former cricketer Khan, who was elected prime minister in 2018, is charged under, among other things, an anti-terror law: according to the authorities, the former prime minister threatened the judiciary and the police in a speech. In addition, he is accused of receiving gifts during his premiership, for example during official visits from foreign guests. He would then have sold it or appropriated it for himself. Khan has been released on bail so far.
Khan has been barred from holding public office since late October because of the allegations. Yet he is still the political leader of the party he founded and regularly organizes political meetings, demanding early elections.
Read also: Why Pakistan wants to arrest former Prime Minister Khan, and two other questions