Imran Khan’s arrest at the Islamabad High Court yesterday has led to widespread violence across Pakistan and protests around the globe from his supporters.
The former Pakistan PM was arrested yesterday outside the Islamabad High Court, which later ruled that his detention was legitimate. According to a police statement to the media today, he will not be brought to the Islamabad court today, and instead, his scheduled hearing will take place at the location where he is under custody.
Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has instructed the party leaders, workers and supporters to gather at the Islamabad Judicial Complex.
Taking to its official Twitter handle, Imran Khan's party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf stated, "Important instructions from the party leadership: Senior leadership of Tehreek-e-Insaf and workers and supporters of Islamabad will arrive at Judicial Complex Islamabad at 8 am. The ongoing sit-ins and protests across the country will continue in their respective locations until the release of Imran Khan."
PTI supporters launched protests in cities across the globe. A crowd gathered outside exiled former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif’s house in London. Thousands of Pakistani Canadians gathered at Mississauga Celebration Square in a massive rally. Pakistani expats also took to the streets in Chicago. A mass rally is being held in Times Square in New York as well. Pakistani Americans gathered today in front of CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
The United States, United Kingdom and Canada have issued new travel advisories for their citizens citing political unrest following the arrest and violence across Pakistan that was seen yesterday. Khan’s supporters stormed the Army Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore yesterday and vandalised the property, set fire to vehicles across Pakistan and stormed the Pakistan Army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Reacting to Imran Khan's arrest, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said that the United States does not have a stance on one political candidate or party and called for respect for democratic principles.
Karine Jean-Pierre in the press briefing said, "United States does not have a position on one political candidate or party versus the another. We call for respect for democratic principles and the rule of law around the world."
Reports said at least four people were killed and over a dozen injured in different parts of the country in violent clashes between the security forces and the supporters of Khan.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had started an investigation against Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi and others for the alleged gain of hundreds of canals of land in the name of Al Qadir University Trust, which reportedly caused a loss of 190 million pounds to the national exchequer.