The crisis continues in Pakistan: many people were detained

In the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, an extrajudicial fight broke out between supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the police.

According to national media reports, there was an extrajudicial brawl between the security forces and Khan’s supporters, who came to Islamabad from Lahore to attend his trial hearing. Police responded with tear gas and batons against Pakistan Justice Movement Party (PTI) supporters, while PTI supporters hurled stones and sticks at police.

Many people, including PTI Chief of Staff Shibli Faraz, were detained. After the fact, the Han convoy was late for the hearing.

The court judge, Zafer Iqbal, stated that he would wait for Han to attend the hearing. Han claimed that he had arrived at the court earlier, but that he was not allowed to enter.

ARREST DECISION WAS SUSPENDED

Khan had left for Islamabad this morning from his residence in Lahore to attend the trial. On March 13, two arrest warrants were issued for Han, who failed to attend hearings in the cases in which he was tried.

During the operation launched by the police on March 14 to arrest Khan, clashes broke out between PTI supporters and members of the police. Police and paramilitary units were unable to arrest Imran Khan. More than 60 police officers were injured and 15 protesters were detained in the incidents.

The Islamabad High Court suspended the arrest warrant for Khan, who declared yesterday that he would attend the hearing. There are 94 cases against former Prime Minister Khan.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS FALLEN

In the motion of no confidence held in the Parliament of Pakistan on April 10, 2022, the government of Imran Khan fell with 174 votes against.

Shahbaz Sharif, brother of Nawaz Sharif, who served as prime minister for three terms in the country, was elected prime minister with the support of an absolute majority with 174 votes in the elections held in Parliament on April 11. (AA)