Protests Erupt Across Pakistan Following Arrest of Former Prime Minister in Connection with Corruption Case
On Thursday, Pakistan's Supreme Court ordered the release of
former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had been arrested earlier in the week as
part of a corruption investigation. The court declared that his arrest had been
unlawful, and Imran Khan's lawyers had argued for his release on the grounds of
the arrest's illegality.
This decision represents a significant victory for Imran Khan
and his supporters, who had taken to the streets in protest following his
arrest. The arrest has escalated a political crisis in the country and set up a
direct confrontation between the Supreme Court and Pakistan's military, which
is widely believed to be behind Imran Khan's detention.
Imran Khan, a former international cricket star who became a
populist politician, has denied charges of corruption related to real estate
transfers. His supporters have camped outside his home and attended his
political rallies, which have called for early elections. The military and the
government, led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, have been accused by Imran
Khan and his supporters of misusing the justice system to keep him out of
politics.
Tensions between Imran Khan and military leaders have been
growing since he was ousted as prime minister in a vote of no confidence in
April last year. He has accused the military of orchestrating his removal and
of being behind a shooting that wounded him in November. Military officials
have denied these accusations, and his recent arrest has sparked violent
protests across the country.
In response to the protests, the authorities have shut down
internet and cellphone networks across much of Pakistan, deployed the army to
two provinces, and arrested over 3,000 protesters. They have also arrested key
leaders in Imran Khan's political party, including his close aide and former
information minister, Fawad Chaudhry.
The military has released a statement promising a swift and
severe response to those involved in attacking military installations. They
have identified "facilitators, planners, and political rioters" and
warned that "no one can be allowed to incite people and take the law into
their hands."
