Police in Pakistan has charged the country’s former prime minister, Imran Khan, under anti-terrorism laws. The investigation comes after he accused the police and the judiciary of detaining and torturing his close associate.
Tensions are high in the country, with supporters of the former leader gathering outside his home, vowing to “take control” if he is arrested. Since he was ousted from power in April, Khan has criticized the country’s government and military.
Police announced the charges after the cricketer-turned-politician accused authorities of torturing his close assistant, who is being held on charges of sedition. In a public speech on Saturday, Khan condemned the Islamabad police chief and a female judge for the arrest and alleged mistreatment of his party colleague.
“You should also prepare, as we will take action against you,” he said in the speech, referring directly to the couple. The officials charged Mr Khan with violating the country’s anti-terrorism law for allegedly threatening state officials.
Hundreds of former prime minister supporters gathered outside his home in Islamabad after news of the investigation broke, vowing to “take control” of the capital if police tried to stop him.
Police at the scene said they were not there to arrest the former leader but to maintain law and order.
The case comes at a time of heightened tension between the Pakistani government and Khan, who was ousted from power in April in a motion of no confidence. Since then, the former leader has toured the country to deliver a series of fiery speeches calling for new elections and fiercely criticizing the government and the military.
On Saturday, Pakistan’s media regulator announced that TV channels would be banned from broadcasting his speeches live, accusing Khan of inciting hatred against state institutions.
The former leader claims that the government is trying to censor him. On Sunday, he criticized the ban at another political rally in Rawalpindi.
“What crime has Imran Khan committed? I will never accept this gang of thieves,” he told his supporters.
Mr Khan later accused the government of blocking access to YouTube halfway through the speech to prevent people from listening to him live. Despite being ousted from power in a no-confidence vote earlier this year, Imran Khan continues to count on the support of many Pakistani voters.
Last month, his PTI party stunned rivals by taking control of a crucial provincial assembly in Punjab, defeating the PML-N party in what was expected to be an easy win.
Many saw July’s by-election victory as a signal of Mr Khan’s continued popularity at the ballot box – and a foretaste of what could happen if the early elections he sought were to be held.
The charismatic politician was elected prime minister in 2018 but fell out with Pakistan’s powerful army towards the end of his tenure. After a series of defections, he lost his majority in parliament.