The unrest in Pakistan continues. The government is now deploying the military to stop the protests following the arrest of ex-Prime Minister Khan. In addition, officials from Khan’s party are said to have been arrested.
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested in Pakistan two days ago. Since then there have been massive protests. Soldiers have now been stationed in the capital, Islamabad. Police said the military was now stationed in the capital’s sensitive “red zone” where government buildings are located.
“We deployed the army to end the violence,” Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah told local media late Wednesday evening (local time). Troops patrolled the capital, Islamabad, as well as Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. The government had already given the go-ahead for the use of soldiers against demonstrators in Punjab province on Wednesday.
arrests several party officials
According to the police in Islamabad, several officials of Khan’s party Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were arrested. In total, there are said to be seven arrests in Khan’s party environment, as reported by the AFP news agency, citing police information. They are accused of organizing the protests.
Among them is said to be Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who was foreign minister in Khan’s cabinet at the time. He was taken into custody during the night, it said on his Twitter profile.
criticism of human rights activists
Since Khan’s arrest, thousands of his supporters have demonstrated nationwide for the release of the popular opposition politician and have engaged in violent clashes with security forces. According to doctors and police, at least six people were killed. Hundreds of police officers were injured and more than 2,000 people were arrested across the country, particularly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Schools and universities were closed again today. The Home Office also reportedly restricted access to mobile internet services, as well as social media sites Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.
prime minister calls for non-violence
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned in a TV speech on Wednesday evening (local time) that the population should refrain from violence. Otherwise, the state will take full action.
Human rights activists accuse the police of “excessive force” in operations against the demonstrators. “The government should uphold the right to peaceful protest,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement. “Criminal offenses should be promptly investigated and appropriately prosecuted.”
Kahn is accused of corruption
Khan was arrested on Tuesday in the capital, Islamabad, to a great deal of attention. The 70-year-old politician is accused of corruption. He is currently being held at a police compound in Islamabad, it said. According to media reports, he had to answer to allegations of corruption before a special court at the police headquarters in the capital, Islamabad, on Wednesday.
Khan himself denies the allegations. They result from just two of more than 100 investigations that were initiated after the end of his tenure. In most cases, if convicted, Khan faces a ban from holding public office. Elections are planned in Pakistan in November. Khan was overthrown by a vote of no confidence in Parliament in April 2022. Conservative politician Shehbaz Sharif was elected as his successor.