Arrest Warrants Issued for Imran Khan, His Wife, and Other PTI Leaders Over Islamabad Protest
In a dramatic escalation of Pakistan's political turmoil, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and several key members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. The arrest orders are related to violent protests that took place in Islamabad on November 24, 2024, following Khan's call for nationwide demonstrations. Khan, already incarcerated on judicial remand, had demanded the restoration of PTI's electoral mandate and the release of detained party members.
The protests turned deadly, with PTI supporters clashing with police. According to the party, 12 supporters lost their lives during the protests, while hundreds of others were arrested. The Islamabad police have compiled a list of 96 suspects, including top PTI leaders such as former president Arif Alvi, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI chairman Gohar Khan, and opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan.
The charges against the PTI leaders include attacking police personnel, inciting violence, and using government employees for political purposes during the protest. These actions have been framed under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, Anti-Terrorism Act, and Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act. The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), under Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, accepted the police's request and issued the non-bailable arrest warrants.
This development is a continuation of a series of legal troubles for Khan. Since being ousted in a controversial no-confidence vote in April 2022, Khan has faced multiple charges, including several related to protests between September and October 2024. His political career, once marked by promises of change and reform, now seems mired in legal battles that have further polarized Pakistan’s political landscape.
The November 24 protest was a part of Khan’s broader campaign to rally public support for the restoration of PTI’s mandate. His call for the protest had been met with mixed reactions, and the violence during the event has only fueled the divide between Khan’s supporters and the government. While the PTI claims the protests were peaceful, the authorities insist that the violence was planned and orchestrated, pointing to the large-scale damage caused by the clashes.
The arrest warrants are part of a wider crackdown by the government on Khan's party, which has been facing increasing opposition from both the state and rival political parties. In the aftermath of the protests, there has been growing concern over the state of law and order, and whether Pakistan’s already strained democratic institutions can weather the increasing political instability.
Khan’s arrest and subsequent legal battles have put the PTI in a difficult position. While some argue that Khan is being persecuted for his political views, others claim that his party’s actions have crossed a line and disrupted public order. The outcome of these legal proceedings could determine the future direction of Pakistan’s political landscape, with implications for both the ruling party and Khan's supporters.
Refrence From: www.ndtv.com