Former Prime Minister Imran Khan showed up at the Islamabad High Court today for a hearing. However, before the judicial proceeding began, scores of security personnel in riot-control gear descended upon him, arresting him, and inflaming the country. The Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated that Khan was arrested for not appearing before the National Accountability Bureau, despite receiving notices. Turmoil and confrontations broke out for the rest of the day.
Khan was forced out of office last year after he challenged Western geopolitical games in Asia. Khan had said that he was deposed because of a U.S.-led “international conspiracy,” pointing to foreign funds paid to his opponents. He remains the popular favorite to win the next election as Prime Minister.
Today’s heavy-handed arrest is likely a deliberate provocation, as the ruling government can delay an upcoming election they would lose, if turmoil were to allow for “emergency” rule to be declared. Sure enough protests and fights occurred today in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Peshawar.
