Islamabad: A Pakistani court on Thursday extended protection from arrest for former Prime Minister Imran Khan until the end of the month, authorities said, after police brought terrorism charges against the country’s popular opposition leader.
The court shielded Khan from arrest until Sept. 1 over allegations that he threatened police officers and a female judge during a speech over the weekend. Developments before the court relief for Khan had raised fears of violent clashes between police and Khan, who is leading mass demonstrations and seeking snap elections after being ousted. The government says elections will take place as scheduled next year.
On Thursday, Khan told reporters outside court that he never threatened anyone.
He said the terrorism charges against him were politically motivated and that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government feared Khan’s growing popularity.
Khan later went to another court, where a criminal case was filed against him this week on charges of defying a ban on holding rallies in Islamabad’s capital. He, too, was protected from arrest in that case until September 7.
Earlier, Khan’s lawyer applied to the anti-terror court to shield Khan from arrest. Babar Awan said the terrorism charges brought against Khan were “an act of revenge”.
Arriving at the courthouse, Khan was asked to walk into the courtroom as ordinary suspects do.
Hundreds of Khan supporters gathered outside the court building and chanted slogans against the Sharif government. The protesters said that the Sharif government is politically victimizing Khan. Later, Khan left the court for his home on the outskirts of Islamabad.
Sharif replaced Khan in April when he was ousted in a no-confidence motion in parliament. Legal experts say Khan could face anywhere from several months to 14 years in prison, the equivalent of life in prison, if the court finds him guilty during his yet-to-be-opened trial on terrorism charges.
Khan’s appearance before an anti-terror court on Thursday amid tight security was the latest development in the saga between Pakistan’s government and Khan, who has been holding mass demonstrations seeking a return to power.
Khan made that critical comment against judge Chaudhry after she allowed police to interrogate Gill, the chief of staff at Khan’s party. Gill was arrested earlier this month for allegedly attempting to incite soldiers to revolt against the top military leadership. Gill was sent to jail the previous day, pending trial.
Since his ouster, Khan has alleged — without providing evidence — that Pakistan’s powerful military took part in a U.S. plot to oust him. Washington, the Pakistani army and the government of Khan’s successor, Shahbaz Sharif, have all denied the allegation.