Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, outside the Islamabad High Court. He was arrested by the Pakistan Rangers, a paramilitary force, on charges of inciting violence during a recent protest rally.
Khan had been leading a campaign against the government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who came to power in April after Khan was ousted in a no-confidence vote. The protest rally on May 25 turned violent, with clashes between Khan’s supporters and security forces leaving several people dead.
Khan has denied any wrongdoing and has accused the government of using the Rangers to silence him. He has called for nationwide protests against the government’s “dictatorial” rule.
The arrest of Khan has sparked outrage among his supporters, who have taken to the streets in protest. The government has imposed a curfew in several parts of the country and has blocked mobile phone services in an effort to quell the protests.
The political crisis in Pakistan is deepening, with no clear end in sight. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the protests and whether Khan will be able to regain power.