Daccanomics
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been caught in the middle of a tense and dangerous situation as he arrived at a court in Islamabad to face corruption charges.
His supporters have faced police brutality, with police officers entering his residence in Lahore and beating them. Shipping containers have been put in place, and 5000 additional policemen have been deployed with riot gear to ensure that no one gets close to the court.
Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, criticized the raid and said that his wife was home alone when it took place.
“Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this? This is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment,”
Khan tweeted.
Reports suggest that the government is determined to prevent Khan’s supporters from reaching the court and has even placed shipping containers and riot gear-equipped officers to block their way.
The Pakistan electronic regulatory media Regulatory Authority has put a ban on coverage of Imran Khan rallies, and there is an anticipation that this could end in violence.
There is also an apprehension that the government is trying to lure Imran Khan to arrest him, which could end in trouble across the country due to the popularity he enjoys across Pakistan. Imran Khan has won 30 of the 37 by-elections, and the government is afraid that his support is growing and they are looking for an excuse to bring him down.
Footage from Lahore is going viral as police were captured on video breaking down the gate of Imran Khan’s residence, facing fierce resistance from his supporters. Footage from the scene showed officers using batons to disperse the crowd, causing chaos and panic.
Despite the barriers, thousands of supporters have gathered to welcome the former prime minister, but their attempts to enter the city have been thwarted by the police. The situation is made even more explosive due to the fact that just a few days ago, violent clashes erupted between Imran Khan’s supporters and the police when they attempted to arrest him on separate charges.
With tensions running high, the possibility of further violence looms large, and the government’s attempts to crack down on the former prime minister are only escalating.
The government is said to fear Imran Khan’s growing popularity, and they are reportedly looking for an excuse to bring him down. His presence at the court is being closely monitored, with the Pakistan electronic regulatory media Regulatory Authority even banning coverage of Imran Khan rallies.
The former prime minister himself has voiced concerns about the government’s intentions, claiming that they are trying to take him out of the political fray.
Meanwhile, in Lahore, police have reportedly taken into custody many of Imran Khan’s supporters who had gathered outside his residence to prevent his arrest.
As he continues to face these dangers and challenges, the future for Imran Khan remains uncertain. With a politically charged atmosphere and the possibility of violence erupting at any moment, the situation in Pakistan is nothing short of explosive.
