Eight killed as violent protests grip Pakistan after former PM’s arrest
Violent protests have spread across Pakistan after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on Tuesday.
At least eight people have died nationwide and 1,400 have been arrested, according to the police.
Khan was arrested on corruption charges after allegedly evading security officials for months.
The former prime minister has faced several charges since he was ousted after losing a confidence vote last year.
A few months after his removal from office, Khan survived what was believed to be an assassination attempt.
However, the recent arrest has enraged his supporters and has deepened the political crisis Pakistan has been facing for months.
BBC reports that Khan’s supporters ransacked the corps commander’s residence in Lahore, smashing chandeliers and making away with peacocks, strawberries and golf clubs – among other things – which they said were bought with “citizen’s money”.
Scores of vehicles and public installations were set ablaze.
On Wednesday, clashes between protesters and the police occurred in the middle of a main road in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital.
More than 145 police officers have been wounded in the confrontations, the police said.
“We came to do a peaceful protest, but these police are shelling us,” BBC quoted a protester as saying.
“Until our death, we will continue this protest or until they free Imran. Otherwise, we will shut the whole country.”
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which Khan is a member of, called his arrest an “abduction” and said it would challenge its legality in court
Meanwhile, at least three party leaders have been arrested so far including a foreign minister in Khan’s former cabinet.
Tensions remain high in the nuclear-armed nation with paramilitary troops and police on the streets in major cities.
Mobile data services remain suspended and schools and offices have been closed in two of Pakistan’s four provinces.
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