Pakistani opposition leaders warned on Monday that authorities would cross a “red line” if they arrest former prime minister Imran Khan, charged with treason for his comments on the justice system. Overthrown on April 10 by a motion of no confidence, he has since organized large rallies in the country to put pressure on the fragile ruling coalition.
Hundreds of people gathered outside his home near the capital Islamabad on Monday, apparently to block police access, as the former cricketer star has been battling a series of charges for months, without having been arrested so far. A preliminary report was filed with police on Sunday, the first step in a process that could lead to formal charges and an arrest.
‘Unfounded’ accusations
“Wherever you are, join Bani Gala today and show your solidarity with Imran Khan,” tweeted former Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, referring to the former politician’s home. “Imran Khan is our red line,” he added.
Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI) party has deemed the latest accusations against its leader “unfounded”. “We have serious reservations about this politically driven move which reinforces instability in the country,” the PTI said in a statement.
large gatherings
Imran Khan has held a series of large rallies since his ousting, warning institutions, including the powerful military, not to support the government led by one of his longtime political rivals, Shehbaz Sharif. On Sunday, he criticized a magistrate who had signed the arrest warrant for a PTI official, who had been detained for a week and who, according to party leaders, had been tortured in detention.
Imran Khan’s main objective is to secure an early general election, but the government has shown no signs of doing so despite facing major economic problems. He was elected in 2018 on a promise to end corruption, but the popular support he enjoyed then eroded in the face of economic difficulties.
Under his tenure, the country’s economic indicators plummeted, and the International Monetary Fund suspended a $6 billion loan program, which the new government has only just put back on track. On Sunday, the Pakistani media regulatory authority (Pemra) banned television from broadcasting the ex-prime minister’s speeches live, saying he used “hate speech” which is “likely to disturb the peace and public peace”.