Violent Clashes in Pakistan Leave 1 Dead and Result in Arrests
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been arrested on corruption charges, sparking clashes between his supporters and police across the country. Thousands of Khan’s supporters took to the streets in cities including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, with some protesters setting vehicles on fire. While at least 20 people were detained during the protests, the exact number of casualties was not disclosed. One protester reportedly died in the city of Quetta, with 12 others injured, including six police officers.
Khan and his wife were arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for allegedly buying a dollar worth of land. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated that British officials had returned $240 million to Pakistan in connection with money laundering, which Khan had returned to the contractor instead of retaining it in the national treasury. NAB denies all charges against Khan. The corruption case is one of more than 100 filed against him.
Khan, who lost a vote of confidence in parliament in April last year, had two separate arrest warrants issued against him on March 13 for allegedly selling state gifts and concealing his assets while in office. The former prime minister had been campaigning for early national elections scheduled for October. Mobile data services were also restricted across the country by order of the Pakistani Ministry of Interior during the protests.
