ISLAMABAD —
Pakistan opposition leaders
warned Monday that authorities would cross a “red line” if they arrested former
prime minister Imran Khan after he was reported under the anti-terrorism act
for comments he made about the judiciary.
اضافة اعلان
Since being ousted by a vote of no confidence in
April, Khan has held mass rallies across the country, warning state
institutions including the military not to back the coalition government led by
his long-time political rival Shehbaz Sharif.
Hundreds of people gathered outside Khan’s house
Monday — ostensibly to prevent police from reaching him — but the former leader
has been fighting a raft of charges for months and has so far not been
arrested.
“Wherever you are, reach Bani Gala today and show
solidarity with Imran Khan,” tweeted former information minister
Fawad Chaudhry, referring to Khan’s home.
“Imran Khan is our red line.”
A First Information Report was filed with police
Sunday — the first step of a process that could lead to formal charges and
arrest.
Lawyers for Khan preemptively applied for pre-arrest
bail at the Islamabad High Court Monday, which was granted until at least
Thursday.
‘Frivolous’ accusations
There was a low-key police
presence outside Khan’s residence Monday, with around 500 party supporters
gathered in the affluent suburb of Bani Gala.
Muhammad Ayub said he had travelled overnight from
Peshawar in the northwest to show support for Khan.
“We will protest and will block roads if Khan is
arrested,” he told AFP.
In a statement, Khan’s
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) said the latest accusations against him were “frivolous”.
“We have serious reservations on this politically
motivated move which leads towards further instability in the country,” it
said.
On Saturday he criticized a magistrate responsible
for keeping a PTI official in police custody, after party leaders say he was
tortured in detention.
Khan’s main goal is an early general election — the
next one must be held before October next year — but the government has shown
no sign of wanting to go to the polls as it grapples with major economic
problems.
Khan swept into power in 2018 thanks to an
electorate weary of the dynastic politics of the country’s two major parties,
with the former cricket star promising to sweep away decades of entrenched
corruption and cronyism.
But under his rule the country’s economy went into
free fall, and the
International Monetary Fund suspended a $6 billion loan
program that the new government has only just gotten back on track.
Khan also lost the support of the military.
Political Analyst Hassan Askari Rizvi told AFP that
filing the latest case against Khan was not symbolic, but rather a genuine
attempt to stifle him.
“The government is using the state institutions to
malign the opposition,” he said, adding ordinary Pakistanis were being hurt by
the political wrangling.
“The only thing left for the ruling party and the
opposition is to malign each other. In the current situation, the real priority
should be the economy so that the common man can get some relief.”
Over the weekend, Pakistan’s media watchdog banned
television channels from broadcasting live addresses by Khan, saying he was
“spreading hate speech”.
“His provocative statements against state
institutions and officers... is likely to disturb public peace and
tranquility,” the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority said.
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