Pakistan: Imran Khan Maybe Arrest In Anti-Terror Case
Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf members have urged party workers and supporters to protest against the possible arrest of party chief and former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan’s political party. PTI members have urged party workers and supporters to take to the streets to protest against the possible arrest of party chief, Imran Khan. Thousands of protesters are on the street protesting against the government of Pakistan and asking them not to arrest Imran Khan.
The crisis began after Imran Khan’s close aide, Shehbaz Gill, was arrested on 9th August over his comments made on TV in which he said that the armed forces are in support of Imran Khan’s party and that they should not obey the government's illegal orders. The government termed this speech as seditious. So Shehbaz was arrested. The PTI has since claimed that Gill has been tortured in custody and his life remains in danger.
At his rally on 20th August, Imran attacked a judge, Zeba Chaudhry and vowed to file cases against top officials of the Islamabad police. He also said that the current government of Pakistan is a Foreign government which is working at the behest of the USA. After his speech, an FIR was filed against Imran Khan by Magistrate Ali Javed for allegedly threatening the sessions judge, Zeba Chaudhry. Imran Khan was booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has asked party workers to reach Imran Khan’s residence and told party activists to remain prepared and wait for the party's call for protest in case of Imran Khan's arrest. [https://twitter.com/i/status/1561455857531224064]. The police have reportedly blocked the routes leading to the Bani Gala residence of Imran Khan and unauthorized persons have been banned from travelling through the routes. Thousands of supporters were flying the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party flag, while others draped themselves in scarves in the party's green and red colours [https://twitter.com/i/status/1561620816126787585] The mood was calm but the crowd had a clear mission - they said that they wanted the charges against Mr Khan dropped, and some threatened civil unrest if the case continued further. They said that Khan is the only one good for Pakistan, we are going to fight.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned the broadcast of Imran Khan's live speech for threatening an Islamabad police official and a female magistrate and inciting violence.
Imran Khan’s party applied in the court for bail. The court approved protective bail till August 25 and directed him to approach a relevant Anti-terrorism Court by then.
