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Nearly 1,000 of Imran Khan’s supporters detained – ahead of march to Pakistan’s capital to protest against his arrest | World News


Supporters of Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan, are planning a protest march to Islamabad today where he is being held in custody on corruption charges – after almost 1,000 of them were arrested in one province alone.

The 70-year-old was arrested by security forces at the High Court in the capital on Tuesday and dragged into an armoured vehicle and driven away.

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Dozens of officers were involved in the arrest of Imran Khan in Islamabad. Pic: PTIofficial
Smoke erupts from a burning objects set on fire by angry supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan as police fire tear gas to disperse them during a protest against the arrest of Khan, in Peshawar, Pakistan
Pic:AP
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Objects were set on fire by supporters of Imran Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan. Pic: AP

Violent clashes have erupted between his supporters and police in several cities following his detention, and at least one person has been killed in the southern city of Quetta.

Police said 945 of Mr Khan’s supporters have been arrested in Punjab province, more than 130 officers have been injured, 25 police vehicles set on fire, and around 14 government buildings severely damaged and looted.

A court hearing scheduled for today to determine whether Mr Khan can be kept in custody for up to 14 days would instead take place at the police compound where he is being held, authorities said.

Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan throw stones toward police 
Pic:AP
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Clashes between Mr Khan’s supporters and police in Karachi, Pakistan. Pics: AP
Police use a water cannon to disperse supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan protesting against the arrest of their leader, in Karachi, Pakistan
Pic:AP

In response, his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party called for peaceful demonstrations across the country.

His supporters in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have been asked to gather in the city of Swabi to leave for Islamabad as part of a convoy.

“We continue to call PTI family workers, supporters and the people of Pakistan onto the streets for peaceful protest against this unconstitutional behaviour,” said PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

In the port city of Karachi, police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of Mr Khan’s supporters.

Videos seen by Sky News in Pakistan show army bases being broken into by civilians and army vehicles being set alight in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The home of Lieutenant General Salman Fayyaz Ghania – a top army chief – in the eastern city of Lahore was set on fire.

On Wednesday morning, police said at least 2,000 protesters were still surrounding the house, chanting slogans including, “Khan is our red line and you have crossed it”.

A supporter of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan burns a billboard during a protest against the arrest of their leader, in Lahore, Pakistan, Tuesday, May 9, 2023.  Khan was arrested Tuesday as he appeared in a court in the country...s capital, Islamabad, to face charges in multiple graft cases. Security agents dragged Khan outside and shoved him into an armored car before whisking him away. (AP Photo/K.M.Chaudary)
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A billboard is set alight in Lahore, Pakistan. Pic: AP
A police officer receives first aid after he was injured during a protest by the supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan after his arrest, in Karachi, Pakistan, May 9, 2023. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro
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An injured police officer in Karachi, Pakistan

In a statement, Pakistan’s information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb denounced the attacks by the ex-PM’s supporters, saying it was done “in an orchestrated manner on Imran Khan’s directions”.

Internet services have been suspended across the country and access to Twitter, YouTube and Facebook have been disrupted, according to officials at Pakistan’s telecommunication authority.

Pakistan's paramilitary troops with riot gear stand guard outside a court, where Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan appearing, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Pakistan's anti-graft agents on Tuesday arrested former Prime Minister Khan as he appeared in a court in the capital, Islamabad, to face charges in multiple graft cases, police and officials from his party said. (AP Photo/Ghulam Farid)
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Pakistan’s paramilitary troops outside court. Pic: AP
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan chant slogans next to burning tires during a protest to condemn the arrest of their leader, in Hyderabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Pakistan's anti-graft agents on Tuesday arrested former Prime Minister Khan as he appeared in a court in the capital, Islamabad, to face charges in multiple graft cases, police and officials from his party said. (AP Photo/Pervez Masih)
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Supporters of Mr Khan chant slogans next to burning tires during a protest in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Pic: AP

Mr Khan’s arrest came a day after the country’s powerful military criticised him for repeatedly accusing a senior military officer of trying to engineer his assassination and the former armed forces chief of being behind his removal from power last April.

He had recorded a video message before heading to Islamabad, claiming officials were out for his arrest to prevent him from campaigning.

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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan gestures in a video statement
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Imran Khan issued a video statement ahead of his detention

The cricketing hero-turned-politician – who has been pushing for new elections – has denounced the cases against him, which include terrorism charges, as a politically motivated plot by his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office has warned of further disruption in the country.

The UK’s foreign secretary James Cleverly said: “The UK has a longstanding and close relationship with Pakistan. We are Commonwealth partners. We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want to see the rule of law adhered to.”



This story originally appeared on Skynews

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