On Thursday, the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) accused the Rangers and the National Accountability Bureau of “kidnapping” the former PM from the Islamabad High Court.
In a declaration on Sunday, the PTI condemned Khan’s “abduction,” urging the Supreme Court to form a high-level commission to investigate the incident, along with the death of ten PTI supporters who protested Khan’s arrest nationwide.
To this end, the release declared that the party would also file FIRs against Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and other government officials and police officers. The opposition party said the cases will address the “murder of unarmed citizens at peaceful protests.”
Khan Calls for Fresh Protests
Following his release on bail, Khan called for “freedom” protests. Speaking from his house in Lahore, he accused the army chief of corrupting the military and targeting him.
Then will follow complete crack down on whatever is left of PTI leadership and workers.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 14, 2023
And finally they will ban the largest and only federal party of Pakistan. (Just as they banned the Awami league in East Pakistan)
Khan said on Monday that the government would “use some sedition law” to imprison him for ten years, which he alleged will be followed by a “complete crackdown” against the party’s leaders and workers. He also said that the authorities would target his wife, Bushra Bibi, to “humiliate” Khan.
“They will ban the largest and only federal party of Pakistan,” he asserted.
Khan also accused the government of leashing “deliberate terror” against PTI supporters and other citizens and controlling the media and social media.
Several PTI party leaders, including former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, continue to be behind bars over allegations of inciting violence.
Khan’s Release
My reply to ISPR & attempts by PDM & their handlers to arrest me for two reasons: 1. To prevent me from campaigning bec InshaAllah when elections are announced I will be doing jalsas. 2. To prevent me from mobilising the masses for street movement in support of Constitution if… pic.twitter.com/IQIQmFERah
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 9, 2023
Khan was released on Friday after the Supreme Court granted him bail and called his arrest illegal. He was also given protection from arrest in eight other cases.
In response, the ruling alliance, the Pakistan Democratic Movement, organised a sit-in outside the apex court to oppose the decision.
Following his release, Khan arrived at his Lahore residence. Despite securing bail, he claimed that the incumbent government and the Islamabad police were seeking to keep him in custody using different tactics.
Protests Launched After Khan’s Arrest
Khan’s release came following hours of protests by PTI supporters, who launched demonstrations against the former PM’s arrest across the country. Matters were on the brink of a civil war as protestors clashed with security personnel.
Upper Dir in KPK, Pakistan right now. Massive protest against Pakistan Army. pic.twitter.com/zny6mZ2F9x
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) May 9, 2023
According to Dawn, the protests resulted in damages worth $900,000 to private and public property.
In this regard, 76 were arrested in Rawalpindi.
In Punjab, 3,500 were arrested for damaging military and government properties. The region’s caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, “Terrorism was done under the guise of politics, these cases of terrorism will be brought to a logical end.”