conflicts
The situation around Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan is coming to a head
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is escorted by police officers as he appears in court in Islamabad on May 12, 2023. photo
© Anjum Naveed/AP/dpa
The arrest of the ex-prime minister is followed by protests, some of them violent, and then the former cricket star is released for the time being. The government of the nuclear power is now cracking down on its supporters.
In Pakistan, the situation around the house of former Prime Minister Imran Khan is coming to a head. Security forces continued cordoning off the compound after Khan refused to allow police to search his residence on Friday. This was announced by police officer Shah Hussain of the German Press Agency. The search was ordered by the court to arrest supporters of Khan who are said to have holed up on his property.
Police have accused Khan’s supporters of being involved in attacks on military installations. Authorities had given the popular opposition leader an ultimatum for extradition by Thursday noon, but he did not comply. Around 1,500 police officers have been surrounding the politician’s house for days.
Pakistan is always experiencing unrest
In the South Asian country with more than 240 million inhabitants, violent riots broke out across the country last week after Khan was taken away from a court in Islamabad. His followers stormed several military buildings. The politician was eventually released on bail by order of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court also ordered Khan not to be arrested again until June.
Since the founding of Pakistan 75 years ago, there has been unrest and instability in the South Asian country. Attacks against the powerful military in the country, however, are seen as a red line. Khan, on the other hand, had repeatedly accused generals of being involved in a conspiracy against him since his ouster as prime minister.
Since Khan was overthrown by a vote of no confidence, the judiciary has repeatedly raised new allegations. Observers see political reasons for this. The 70-year-old is hoping for a political comeback in view of the parliamentary elections in the autumn. Another arrest of the politician is not excluded.