Pakistani police have filed multiple charges against imprisoned former premier Imran Khan, his wife, and others for allegedly inciting people to violence. This comes after days of protests and clashes in which at least six people were killed and scores more were injured.
Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, led thousands of people from the country's northwest in a march on the capital Islamabad to demand Khan's release. Khan has been in custody since August 2023 and already faces over 150 cases, with supporters claiming they are politically motivated.
Authorities reported that nearly 1,000 demonstrators have been arrested in and around Islamabad since Sunday. The police have blamed Khan supporters for the deaths of six individuals, including four security personnel, who were killed when a vehicle rammed into them.
Charges have been issued against Khan, Bibi, and others under Pakistan's anti-terrorism laws, accusing them of inciting violence against security forces and disrupting the peace. Despite the legal challenges, Khan's political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), vows to continue advocating for his release.
Government officials stated that Khan supporters attempted to take over the capital and some were found carrying weapons during a recent protest. Security forces used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowds, with authorities dismissing claims of police firing live bullets at protesters.
The recent unrest follows a deadly attack in the northwestern Kurram district where 42 Shiites were killed earlier this month. Additional sectarian clashes in Kurram resulted in eight more fatalities on Thursday.
Furthermore, Islamabad police have filed terrorism charges against journalist Matiullah Jan after he was allegedly abducted by unknown individuals. Jan, who is now in police custody, is accused of refusing to stop at a checkpoint and snatching a gun from an officer, although he denies these allegations.
The political tension in Pakistan has had economic repercussions, with the Stock Exchange losing over $1.7 billion on Tuesday. However, the market rebounded on Thursday, surpassing 100,000 points for the first time, which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hailed as a positive indicator of the country's improving economy.
