Escalation in Pakistan
Supporters prevent ex-PM Khan from appearing in court
03/18/2023, 8:51 p.m
Pakistan’s ex-prime minister has to answer to court in mass cases. While he was traveling to Islamabad for a hearing, the police stormed Khan’s house – and there was a bang in front of the capital’s courthouse.
Pakistani ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan missed another important court hearing. The 70-year-old had traveled to the capital, Islamabad. However, hundreds of supporters of the current opposition politician threw stones and petrol bombs at police officers at the entrance to the building, preventing Khan from entering the courthouse. At the hearing, the former cricket star was to be charged with stealing gifts from other countries that he received during his 2018-2022 tenure that should have been handed over to the Pakistani government.
If convicted, he could no longer hold public office and face three years in prison. The next hearing is scheduled for March 30th. Khan has twice missed an appointment on the same matter. Despite an arrest warrant, the authorities could not arrest him because he holed up in his house in the metropolis of Lahore for a week and his supporters rioted with the approaching police.
At least 65 arrests outside ex-PM’s home
Khan eventually agreed to appear in court after the judge denied his request to stay the warrant. In April 2022, a vote of no confidence ousted Khan as prime minister after nearly four years in office. The opposition accused him of mismanagement in the economy. In recent months, Khan has repeatedly called for mass protests and new elections in the country. He was shot in the leg by an assassin during a demonstration in November.
Since his ouster, the Pakistani judiciary has brought new allegations against Khan. He has already had to answer in court in more than 80 cases – for example for corruption, money laundering and insulting a judge. When Khan was en route to Islamabad for the court hearing, police stormed his home in Lahore looking for weapons. At least 65 of his supporters were arrested and weapons confiscated, said Punjab provincial information minister Amir Mir.