Pakistan: Ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan in pre-trial detention, protests escalate

Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan throw stones at police during a protest against Khan's arrest, in Peshawar, Pakistan, May 10, 2023. REUTERS - FAYAZ AZIZ

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Imran Khan, Pakistan's former prime minister, was remanded in custody for eight days after his appearance on Wednesday (May 10th) in a corruption case before a special court. The hearing took place at the police station where he spent the night after his arrest on Tuesday. Meanwhile, protests in several cities turned into riots.

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With our correspondent in Islamabad, Sonia Ghezali

Imran Khan's supporters accuse the government and the army of wanting to oust the former prime minister from the political scene so that he cannot stand in the next elections that are expected to take place in the coming months. For its part, the government refutes. There is no political vendetta against Imran Khan, a minister told a news conference. "No one is above the law in Pakistan," he added.

Since Tuesday, the situation has been very tense in Pakistan. Violent demonstrations have broken out in several cities across the country and incidents have been reported since Wednesday in several cities. The army was called in to reinforce the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunwa. These two provinces are experiencing unprecedented tensions.

« I was afraid for my life »

A police station was ransacked in Lahore and riots are reported in the city. According to police, nearly 1,000 protesters were arrested in the country's most populous province of Punjab and 130 security forces were injured. In Peshawar, in the north of the country, demonstrations degenerated into clashes between protesters and security forces. At least one protester was killed and a dozen were injured.

A police officer during a protest on May 10, 2023. REUTERS - FAYAZ AZIZ

Demonstrators also tried to enter a paramilitary encampment. Others vandalized and then set fire to the local offices of the national radio. A journalist on the spot told RFI that he fled when he saw the demonstrators invade the premises. "I was afraid for my life," he said.

And as on Tuesday, the police sometimes respond by firing live ammunition at crowds of demonstrators. There are reportedly several casualties among Imran Khan's supporters, but it is difficult to have accurate information at this stage. Schools are closed, several companies, international organizations have asked their employees to work from home.

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Read on on the same topics:

• Pakistan
• Imran Khan
• Justice
• Corruption