Former prime minister, Imran Khan is set to be investigated by Pakistan’s police in the wake of a political speech he delivered on Saturday where he was alleged to have threatened the police and the judiciary.
Africa Daily News York gathered that the former leader’s supporters have gathered outside his home and have vowed to ‘take over’ if he is detained, raising tensions in the nation. Mr. Khan has been a vociferous critic of the administration and the army of his country ever since he was forced from office in April.
Police started probing into his case when the former cricketer and current politician claimed that his close aide, who is also being held on sedition-related allegations, had been tortured by the police.
In a public statement on Saturday, Mr. Khan criticized the head of the Islamabad police department and a female judge for his party colleague’s imprisonment and alleged maltreatment.
βYou should also get ready as we will take action against you,β. He stated in the address, directly pointing at the duo
According to police sleuths, Mr. Khan may have violated the nation’s anti-terrorism law by reportedly threatening violence against government representatives.
Following the announcement of the probe, hundreds of the former prime minister’s supporters assembled at the entrance to his residence in Islamabad and vowed to “take over” the city if authorities attempted to arrest him.
Police who arrived at the scene claimed that their primary goal was to uphold law and order, not to apprehend the former leader.
The probe comes happening at a time when the enmity between the Pakistani government and Mr. Khan, who was removed from office in April following a no-confidence vote, is at an all-time high.
The former leader has since made a round of heated addresses while touring the nation, asking for new elections, and bitterly condemning the government and army.
The Pakistani media watchdog declared on Saturday that television networks would not be permitted to broadcast Mr. Khan’s addresses live due to allegations that he had made derogatory remarks about government institutions.
According to the former leader, the administration is attempting to suppress him. He criticized the restriction on Sunday at a different political event in Rawalpindi.
βWhat crime has Imran Khan committed? I will never accept this gang of thieves,β he said to his proponents.
Later, Mr. Khan said that the government had attempted to prevent people from hearing him in person by limiting access to YouTube midway through the address.
Imran Khan still has the backing of many Pakistani people even after being impeached in a no-confidence ballot earlier this year.
His PTI party toppled the PML-N party last month in what was thought to be a straightforward victory for them. In doing so, they shocked opponents and took control of a significant provincial legislature in Punjab.
Many interpreted Mr. Khan’s triumph in the election held in July as proof of his sustained support among voters and as a preview of what would occur if the early elections he is campaigning for were to take place.
The vibrant politician was voted as prime minister in 2018 but experienced dispute with Pakistan’s powerful military force near the conclusion of his term. He lost his majority in parliament after a number of resignations.
