Former Pakistan PM Khan in court after arrest prompts riots

Introduction

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was arrested on October 19, 2022, after returning to the country from London. His arrest prompted violent protests across the country, with supporters of Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party taking to the streets to demand his release. The protests resulted in clashes with police, leaving several people injured.

Background

Sharif had been living in London since 2019, after being granted bail on medical grounds. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2018 on corruption charges, but his supporters claim the charges were politically motivated. Sharif’s return to Pakistan was seen as a challenge to the current government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has been accused of using the judiciary to target his political opponents.

Arrest and Court Appearance

Sharif was arrested upon his arrival at Lahore airport and taken to a local police station. He was later produced before a court, where he was charged with corruption and money laundering. Sharif denied the charges and claimed that he was being targeted for political reasons.

Protests and Clashes

Sharif’s arrest sparked violent protests across the country, with his supporters taking to the streets to demand his release. The protests turned violent in several cities, with clashes reported between protesters and police. Several people were injured in the clashes, and there were reports of property damage.

Government Response

The government has defended Sharif’s arrest, claiming that he had been given multiple opportunities to return to Pakistan and face the charges against him. The government has also accused Sharif of using his political influence to evade justice.

International Reaction

The international community has expressed concern over the situation in Pakistan, with several countries calling for calm and restraint. The United States has urged all parties to respect the rule of law and due process, while the United Kingdom has called for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Conclusion

The arrest of Nawaz Sharif has once again highlighted the political tensions in Pakistan. The country has a long history of political instability and military coups, and the current government’s use of the judiciary to target its opponents has raised concerns about the state of democracy in the country. The international community will be closely watching the situation in Pakistan, and it remains to be seen how the crisis will be resolved

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Former Pakistan PM Khan in court after arrest prompts riots

Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan appeared in a special court at the capital’s police headquarters Wednesday to answer graft charges, local media reported, a day after his arrest prompted violent nationwide protests. Some local media, citing unnamed sources, said prosecutors had asked for Khan to be remanded in custody for 14 days. Geo TV said Khan was allowed to consult with his lawyers during the hearing, but court officials were not available to confirm details of proceedings, held behind closed doors. Khan’s detention Tuesday follows months of political crisis and came hours after the powerful military rebuked the former international cricketer for alleging that a senior officer had been involved in a plot to kill him. Pakistan politicians have

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