Pakistani police file terrorism charges against Imran Khan
Police in the Pakistani capital have filed charges against former premier Imran Khan, 17 of his aides and scores of supporters, accusing them of terrorism and several other offences after his followers clashed with security forces.
For hours on Saturday, Khan's followers clashed with police outside a court where the ex- prime minister was to appear in a graft case. Riot police wielded batons and fired tear gas while Imran Khan's supporters threw fire bombs and hurled rocks at the officers.
More than 50 officers were injured and a police checkpoint, several cars and motorcycles were torched. Police said 59 of Imran Khan's supporters were arrested during the violence.
PTI chairman never actually appeared inside the court to face charges that he had sold state gifts received while in office and concealed assets.
Besides Imran Khan, the case filed Sunday also accuses former and present lawmakers, former ministers, a former National Assembly speaker and scores of Imran Khan's supporters. The charges include terrorism, obstructing police officers in carrying out their tasks, attacks on police, wounding officers and threatening their lives.
The developments are the latest involving increasing violence surrounding the 70-year-old Imran Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament previous April. Since then, the former Prime minister turned Islamist politician has claimed – without offering evidence – that his ouster was illegal and a conspiracy by the government of his successor, PM Shahbaz Sharif, and United States. Both Shahbaz Sharif and the US have denied the allegations.
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