ISLAMABAD — Authorities in Pakistan have filed numerous charges against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, his spouse, Bushra Bibi, and others, alleging they incited violence among the populace. This development follows several days of protests and violent confrontations that resulted in the deaths of at least six individuals, with many more suffering injuries.
Bushra Bibi, known for her role as a spiritual healer, spearheaded a large march from the northwestern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Islamabad, advocating for the release of her husband, who has been incarcerated since August 2023. Although Khan is currently facing over 150 legal cases, his supporters maintain that these charges are politically driven.
During a police operation on Tuesday night aimed at dispersing demonstrators, Bibi managed to evade authorities. At the time, she was released on bail related to a corruption case when she directed the protest in support of Khan.
In the wake of the protests, law enforcement has reported the detention of nearly 1,000 individuals protesting in and around Islamabad since Sunday. Sadly, the police confirmed that a vehicle incident led to the fatalities of six individuals, including four members of the security forces. Authorities have attributed this incident to supporters of Khan, placing blame squarely on them for the unrest.
Charges have been formally placed against Khan, his wife, and various affiliates in both Islamabad and Rawalpindi under the anti-terrorism laws of Pakistan. Officials have accused these individuals of inciting violent acts against security personnel and creating a disturbance in public order.
Although Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is committed to advocating for his release, the current situation remains dire. On Thursday, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal and Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reported to the media that Khan’s supporters appeared to have intended to seize control of the capital, asserting that some participants were armed, prompting police to confiscate these weapons during the late-night raid.
Security forces employed tear gas and batons to disperse the gathering crowds, with Iqbal refuting PTI’s allegations that police had engaged in live fire, stating instead that the rally had not been peaceful due to the presence of firearms among the protesters. This unrest represents the continued challenges faced by the nation following Khan’s ouster in 2022.
The political instability negatively impacted Pakistan’s Stock Exchange, which saw a loss exceeding $1.7 billion on Tuesday. However, stocks rebounded on Thursday, achieving a milestone by surpassing the 100,000-point mark for the first time, a sign that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif claims indicates an improving economic landscape.