Pakistan Issues Arrest Warrant Against Imran Khan Over Violent Islamabad Protest
Islamabad, Pakistan: An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan issued non-bailable arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and 93 others in a case related to last week’s protests in Islamabad by his party supporters, which turned deadly.
On November 13th, Khan, who has been incarcerated since 2023, issued a “final call” for nationwide protests to be held on Nov 24, demanding the restoration of his PTI’s (Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaaf) electoral mandate, the release of detained party members, and the reversal of the 26th Constitutional Amendment.
The main protest in Islamabad ended in clashes in which 12 PTI supporters were killed, according to the party, while hundreds were arrested.
The Islamabad Police submitted a list of 96 suspects in the Islamabad-based Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC). The list included prominent leaders of PTI, such as Khan, Bibi, Gandapur, former president Arif Alvi, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub Khan and several others. It asked the court to issue their arrest warrants.
Also Read: Pakistan Protests: Security Forces Launch Midnight Raid On Imran Khan Supporters
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra accepted the request and issued non-bailable arrest warrants for 96 suspects. The first information report (FIR) registered after the protest included various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, as per media report.
The FIR accused the party leaders of attacking police personnel under a “conspiracy” and using government employees for their purposes during the protest. It also added that the actions of protesters led to locals being trapped in their homes and spread fear and panic.
Dozens of cases have been registered against Imran Khan since his government fell in April 2022 due to a no-confidence vote. He was already sent to jail on judicial remand in seven cases related to protests between September 28 and October 5.
The arrest warrant comes amidst the growing speculations of rift among the party leaders. Reportedly, a new audio clip, alleged to be from Imran Khan’s party leader, indicates there is a widening rift within the leadership of the party. The voice record, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Ali Muhammad Khan has surfaced, pointing towards an increasing gap within the leadership of the party after its “do-or-die” protest fiasco in Islamabad, reported Geo News.
Also Read: “Fight Until The Last…”: Imran Khan Says as Supporters’ Protest Turns Violent
As per the report, the audio clip was leaked days after PTI suddenly delayed its march after a government crackdown on protesters trying to reach D-Chowk, drawing widespread condemnation within the party. Questions were raised within the party’s parliamentary leadership about why supporters were told to go to D-Chowk instead of holding a sit-in in Sangjani, as Khan had ordered.
(With inputs from agencies)
