The Pakistani opposition leader and former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, was arrested on Monday after failing to appear in court. Khan, who heads the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was summoned by a Lahore court in relation to a defamation case filed by former Punjab chief minister Shahbaz Sharif. However, Khan failed to appear, leading the court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Khan’s arrest has sparked outrage among his supporters, who have taken to the streets to protest. They allege that the arrest is politically motivated and aimed at silencing Khan, who has been a vocal critic of the government.
Khan has a long history of opposition to the ruling party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). In the 2018 general election, the PTI emerged as the largest party, and Khan was elected as Prime Minister. However, his tenure has been marred by controversy, with opposition parties accusing him of incompetence and corruption.
The arrest of Khan is likely to escalate tensions between the government and the opposition. The PTI has called for a nationwide strike in protest, and there are concerns that the situation could spiral out of control. The government, however, has defended Khan’s arrest, stating that it is a legal matter and that the court’s decision must be respected.
Overall, Imran Khan’s arrest is a significant development in Pakistani politics, and its impact is likely to be felt for some time. As the country prepares for the next general election, scheduled for 2023, the arrest is likely to deepen existing divisions and polarize the political landscape even further.
