Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan Arrested – And Pakistan Goes Crazy

The political situation in Pakistan has deteriorated in recent days after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on corruption charges. The arrest has sparked violent protests and riots across the country. An overview:

Who is Imran Khan and why was he arrested?

Imran Khan is a former cricketer and served as Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2018 to April 2022. He is extremely popular in the country as the leader of the opposition. Khan has had a long political career and is best known as the founder of the Pakistani political party Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

Khan was arrested Tuesday on corruption charges. He is accused of manipulating the judiciary and the media to gain political power. Khan has diverted public funds to private companies to boost his political clout, according to the country’s anti-corruption agency. Khan and his supporters deny the allegations and view the arrest as politically motivated. The arrest has exacerbated the political crisis in Pakistan and heightened tensions between political camps.

A court sentenced Khan to eight days in jail on Wednesday. Khan’s party colleague Fawad Chaudhry said in Islamabad that his party had appealed the arrest.

How is the political situation in the country?

Khan was asked by parliament to step down as prime minister in April 2022. His anti-Western policies and alienation from the military, which is powerful in Pakistan, were his downfall.

As a result, the Sharif family – one of the two most important clans in Pakistan’s politics and economy – once again took power. The current head of government is Shehbaz Sharif, who is just a placeholder for his brother Nawaz. Nawaz lives in exile in London and faces imprisonment in Pakistan for corruption.

The political turbulence makes it difficult to solve the serious economic crisis in Pakistan.

How are Khan’s supporters reacting?

Khan’s arrest has deepened the political crisis in Pakistan and heightened tensions between the political camps. Protests against the arrest have sparked violent clashes and unrest in many parts of the country.

At least four people were killed in the demonstrations on Tuesday and Wednesday. Military facilities and buildings in particular have been targeted in several cities across the country, which has a population of 230 million, as protesters see the powerful army behind Khan’s arrest.

Schools and universities were closed on Wednesday. At the same time, the mobile internet was shut down indefinitely and access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube was blocked. Paramilitary security forces were deployed in Islamabad, where Khan’s supporters began to gather again on Wednesday. According to the Home Ministry, the army will also be deployed in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

In Punjab, 945 people have been arrested for attacks on government buildings or police officers, Syed Mubashir Hussain, police spokesman in Punjab, told the German news agency on Wednesday. At least 130 security forces have been injured so far.

What does the West say about this?

The US and other Western countries have expressed concern over recent developments in Pakistan and are calling for a peaceful solution to the crisis. The EU reiterated its support for strengthening democracy and the rule of law in Pakistan.

How’s it going from here?

It is unclear how the crisis in Pakistan will develop. However, political tension in the country is expected to continue as Khan’s supporters continue to protest for his release and against the government. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the protesters’ demands and whether there will be a peaceful solution to the crisis.

(ball with material from news agency sda)