Political tensions are rising in Pakistan as former Prime Minister Imran Khan faces arrest under anti-terrorism charges over comments he made at a rally in Islamabad last week. As soon as the news spread, hundreds of supporters supporting Imran Khan and his PTI party gathered on the streets of Islamabad. He camped outside the ex-PM’s house, vowing to “take over” the capital if police tried to arrest him.
Faisalabad is out on road for their leader @ImranKhanPTI ! @FarrukhHabibISF leads a huge gathering! #عمران_خان_ہماری_ریڈ_لائن pic.twitter.com/CDjz3stzcH
— PTI (@PTIofficial) August 21, 2022
Videos posted on the Twitter account of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI showed hundreds of people marching in support of Khan. The protesters were seen shouting slogans “Imran Khan is our red line… don’t think of crossing it”. The police who were present at the spot, but claimed that they were there not to arrest the former leader but to maintain law and order.
The FIR states that Khan had terrorized and threatened “top police officers and a respected lady Additional Sessions Judge” in his speech, with the aim of deterring him from carrying out his functions and to prevent any offense related to his Pakistan Tehreek-e. To prevent any action being taken against the person. Justice Party.
It added that Khan’s speech had created fear and uncertainty in the police, judges and the country.
In his address, Khan had threatened to register cases against top police officials, a woman magistrate, the Election Commission of Pakistan and political opponents over the treatment of his colleague Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested last week on sedition charges. went.
He had also raised objections to Additional District and Sessions Judge Jeba Choudhary, who, on the request of the capital police, granted two-day physical custody of Gill and said he should “prepare himself as action will be taken against him”.
Earlier in a press conference, Interior Minister Sanaullah said that the government was doing legal consultations before initiating any case against Khan. He alleged that Khan’s speech was a continuation of his tendency to target the army and other institutions.
According to media reports, YouTube services in some parts of the country reportedly faced disruptions during Khan’s speech and while his live speech was also ‘banned’ by the electronic media regulator on TV channels on Saturday night.
Responding to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s action, Imran Khan said, “The fascist imported government today banned live coverage of my speeches on TV and then temporarily blocked YouTube during my speech at Liaquat Bagh today. Took a stand. Fell to a new level. All this happened after constant intimidation of media persons and earlier channels were taken off air.
According to the AP, police arrested Khan’s political aide, Shahbaz Gill, earlier this month after he appeared on private television channel ARY TV and urged soldiers and officers to refuse to obey the military leadership’s illegal orders. Gill was charged with sedition, which carries the death penalty under Pakistani law. ARY also remains off-air in Pakistan after the broadcast.