Protests escalate across Pakistan after former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest
At least eight people were killed and hundreds more were injured during protests linked to the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan on corruption charges. Police and protesters clashed in several cities, and security forces reported that more than 1,900 people had been detained, including Fawad Chaudhry, a senior leader of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The party confirmed the detention of its general secretary as well.
The PTI condemned the detention of Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former foreign minister and a leading figure within the party, who was moved to an undisclosed location. A video circulated showing Qureshi appealing for peaceful demonstrations while calling for justice and adherence to the law.
Facing intense unrest, the government ordered the deployment of the army to the capital city of Islamabad and to other major towns in the northwest, regions that had become flashpoints for protests.
Imran Khan was removed from office in October 2022 through a parliamentary no-confidence vote, a decision that followed the Supreme Court’s reversal of the then-prime minister’s attempt to dissolve Parliament and trigger snap elections after the presidency refused to forward the motion. In November of that year, Khan was briefly shot during a protest against the new administration led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Current authorities report Khan is in custody as an investigation into potential corruption proceeds. The case concerns allegations that a Pakistani businessman, Malik Riaz, facilitated the transfer of land to Al-Qadir University in exchange for money recovered in the United Kingdom. Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, face accusations related to the embezzlement of a substantial amount, reported to be 50,000 million rupees (roughly 157 million euros), tied to a broader deal with a billionaire.
Observers note that the political crisis has stirred national tensions, with security agencies stepping in to prevent violence while political parties call for lawful and peaceful expression of dissent. The trajectory of the investigations and the fate of detained figures are closely watched by supporters and critics alike, as Pakistan navigates a period of political volatility and judicial review.