Several MPs and leaders of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran's party Khan, arrested after a rally demanding his release, was charged with terrorism-related crimes, Reuters reported, citing BTA, citing police.
The MPs are in police custody as they were arrested after several incidents of violence were reported during Sunday's rally and will remain behind bars until September 18 pending an investigation, police official Zafar said. Khan and party representative.
Khan has been in prison for over a year now on more than 150 charges against him. He is the main rival of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and remains popular with the people despite the allegations, which his party describes as political. He was removed from power in 2022 after a vote of no confidence in the parliament, notes AP.
A police spokesman in Islamabad said the charges against Khan's party members included violations of law and order and assaults on law enforcement officials, a terrorism-related crime. He did not announce the number of people detained, nor did he give more details about the case, notes Reuters.
Khan's party "Movement for Justice" (DzS) reported that dozens of its MPs were detained in Islamabad. Some sought refuge in parliament to avoid police who entered the building to make arrests, the party said.
On Friday, DzS supporters are expected to take to the streets again across the country as the party announced nationwide protests against the crackdown.