Pakistan’s former prime ministerhas been arrested as he appeared in court in Islamabad to face charges in a separate corruption case, with scores of security forces in riot gear dragging the high-profile politician into an armoured vehicle.
Hours after his arrest, protests began to erupt across the country, with the army accused of orchestrating his detention. Officials told the Guardian that one protester in the city of Quetta had been killed after they were shot by an officer near a military checkpoint. In Lahore, supporters broke into the house of the military corps commander, smashing windows and set furniture on fire, while shouting, “We warned you not to touch Imran Khan”.
As he entered the court premises, Khan was arrested by agents from the National Accountability Bureau, the country’s anti-corruption body, who were followed by a contingent of paramilitary officers. Khan was put into a vehicle with tinted windows and driven off under heavy security, while a scuffle broke out between Khan’s supporters and police.
The arrest warrant for Khan was released soon after, dated 1 May, stating that Khan is accused of “corruption and corrupt practices”.