Imran Khan supporters protest in Pakistan for change
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s release on bail after his arrest on corruption charges has sparked protests by supporters of the government. The Islamabad High Court granted Khan two weeks of temporary bail on May 12, which led to hundreds of pro-government demonstrators gathering outside the court building to demand the resignation of Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, who granted his release. Senior Vice President of the Muslim League-Nawaz Party, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, stated that the judiciary is responsible for the destruction of the country. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, President of the Pakistan Democratic Movement, accused Bandial of “abusing the court” and stated that they wanted to restore the honor and dignity of the Supreme Court. Khan’s supporters had taken to the streets across the country in violent protests following his arrest, resulting in casualties and numerous detentions. The Supreme Court ordered his immediate release, following which the government of Khan fell from power after a vote of no confidence in parliament last year.
