Pakistanis protest in the street after former PM’s arrest

Ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan was at a court hearing Tuesday over corruption and terrorism accusations when police brought him outside and into an armored vehicle. Khan had arrived at the court in the capital of Islamabad earlier in the day to face multiple fraud charges. Pakistan’s anti-corruption bureau issued new arrest warrants for Khan last week in a separate graft case. He had not paid bail in the graft case, authorities said. He was ousted in April 2022 by a no-confidence vote. He denies breaking the law and has said the charges against him are the current government’s attempt to discredit him.

How have Khan’s supporters reacted? Khan’s supporters started protesting in several cities soon after his arrest Tuesday. In one city, protesters blocked a major highway. In another, they gathered near several residences of military officers. Khan’s party on Tuesday called for “shut down” protests in response to the arrest. Khan’s supporters have held several protests since his ouster last year. 

Dig deeper: From the WORLD archives, read Sophia Lee’s report about Pakistani Christians who fled to Thailand to escape persecution by Islamic extremists.