Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former prime minister, is detained in Islamabad
In Islamabad, the former Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, was arrested in a courthouse on Tuesday, which has increased political tensions amidst the country’s struggling economy.
The military, which is Pakistan’s most powerful institution, faced a rare backlash from Khan’s supporters who broke into the compound of Pakistan’s military headquarters in Rawalpindi, destroyed a house belonging to a top military official, and staged protests outside other military installations.
The military did not respond to NPR’s request for comment. Khan’s detention occurred as he appeared in court for one of the many cases in which he is involved.
The police in Islamabad and the authorities in Punjab have issued orders to prohibit demonstrations, which Khan’s supporters have disobeyed in the past.
After Imran Khan’s arrest, the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, have stressed the need for Pakistan to uphold the rule of law and the constitution. Khan was detained in connection with a court case related to anti-corruption, which he had not attended.
He was warned by Pakistan’s military spokesman not to disparage a serving officer, after Khan accused a military intelligence official of leading a conspiracy to murder him.
Khan‘s arrest follows his removal from office in a no-confidence vote in April 2022 after the military withdrew its support for his authority.
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