Agencies
New Delhi, August 22:
Ousted Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan faces likely arrest after he targeted the country’s insitutions, including the police and the judiciary, while speaking at a recent public rally.
Pakistan police on Sunday registered an FIR against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for allegedly threatening an additional sessions judge and senior officers of the Islamabad Police.
The FIR was registered on the complaint of magistrate Ali Javed in Islamabad’s Margalla police station under Section 7 of ATA.
Large contingents of security personnel have been deployed near PTI party chief Khan’s residence in the Banigala locality of Islamabad, and roads leading to his house sealed. Party workers have been gathering in large numbers in the area, and precautionary measures are being taken to prevent any escalation of the tensed situation.
Pakistani media reports say that Imran could also be put under house arrest, and law enforcement agencies are said to be waiting for instructions from higher-ups. The interior ministry has reportedly sought written permission from the Prime Minister’s Office for the arrest of the PTI chief.
Imran is said to be in contact with his party leaders over phone for deciding the course of action in the event of his arrest.
Pakistan’s media watchdog has already slapped a ban on broadcast of Khan’s live speeches on TV channels after his speech at a rally in Islamabad.
Khan, while addressing a public gathering on Saturday, threatened to file cases against top police officials, a woman magistrate, Election Commission of Pakistan and political opponents over the treatment meted out to his arrested aide Shahbaz Gill.
Gill was arrested on August 9, after registration of a sedition case against him over his controversial remarks to a private TV channel. Imran and other PTI leaders have been alleging that he was tortured in custody.
