PTI president Chaudhry Parvez Elahi arrested in Lahore over corruption charges as party chief Imran Khan threatens to sue the agency that arrested him.

Islamabad, Pakistan – A top official in former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party has promised to stand with the party a day after he was arrested in the eastern city of Lahore.

“My message to all PTI workers is that you are on the right side. You are standing for Pakistan. Stay strong. You must not stand back,” Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, 77, said on Friday in a video message released by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party as he was presented before a court in Lahore.

“I am completely innocent, and I trust our judiciary,” the PTI president added.

Elahi, a two-time former chief minister of Punjab province, was arrested at his residence on Thursday evening over corruption charges after his protective bail was rejected by the Lahore court last week.

Officials said Elahi is accused of embezzling millions of rupees in funds meant for the development of his hometown of Gujarat, about 125km (77 miles) north of Lahore in Punjab.

Elahi denies the charges. The PTI said the arrest was politically motivated and part of an ongoing government crackdown that has seen dozens of its leaders arrested and nearly 90 quitting the party.

PTI Chairman Khan, whose own arrest on May 9 triggered deadly protests by his supporters and the subsequent crackdown, condemned Elahi’s arrest and alleged the veteran politician was manhandled by the authorities.

“I strongly condemn the arrest of Ch Pervez Elahi on completely frivolous charges. The manner in which he was arrested & manhandled is also shameful & reprehensible,” Khan tweeted.

Hours after Elahi’s arrest, prominent Pakistani human rights activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir, 36, was allegedly abducted by unidentified men in the country’s largest city, Karachi.

Meanwhile, Khan, who was also charged with corruption by Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) leading to his arrest, has announced filing a $53m defamation suit against the agency.

In a tweet on Friday, the cricketing icon-turned-politician said he has served a legal notice to Nazir Ahmad Butt, a retired military general who now heads the NAB.

“My arrest warrant was issued on a public holiday and was kept in secrecy for eight days. I was not informed about conversion of Al-Qadir Trust Case Inquiry into Investigation,” Khan tweeted.

“Ulterior motive was to defame me by arresting me from premises of Islamabad High Court. And show the world that I was arrested on corruption charges,” he wrote.

Since his removal from power after losing a confidence vote in parliament, more than 100 cases, including “terrorism” and incitement to violence, have been brought against Khan, who calls it a conspiracy by the “establishment” – a euphemism for Pakistan’s powerful military – to stop him from contesting national elections due by October.

Top ministers in Pakistan’s government have said they plan to ban Khan’s PTI and try the party chief in a military court, where dozens of his supporters are set to be tried despite criticism by rights groups.

Broadcast of Khan’s speeches or news conferences have been banned in Pakistan since March.

On Wednesday, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority restricted television channels from giving airtime to “hate mongers, rioters, their facilitators and perpetrators”, without explicitly naming Khan or his party.

Islamabad, Pakistan – More than 80 senior members of Imran Khan’s political party have quit in recent weeks amid a nationwide crackdown in the aftermath of the violence that followed the ex-Pakistani prime minister’s arrest last month.

The public announcements largely followed a striking identical script: The party leader would typically call a news conference, often after being released from jail. They would begin their address by condemning the unrest before declaring their abiding commitment and love for Pakistan and its influential military. They would then conclude by saying they were quitting Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and taking a “break” from politics or, in some cases, announce a complete retirement.

The flurry of defections hitting the PTI has come after the arrest of thousands of party supporters, including top leaders, in the dramatic events that surrounded the arrest of Khan on corruption charges, which he has denied.

The government has alleged that Khan’s supporters ran amok in various cities while he was in custody on May 9 and 10, damaging private and public properties, including military sites and monuments. Controversially, it has moved to try those accused of targeting military installations in military courts. The PTI has rejected allegations that its members were involved in vandalism.

And while party leaders have insisted publicly that the decision to quit was taken entirely on their own, without any external pressure, the circumstances of their announcements have raised questions about whether these were an act of preservation or the result of coercion.

Khan himself has argued that PTI leaders were being pressured into leaving the party, without saying who was behind it.

“People are not quitting, they are be­ing forced to leave the party at gunpoint. Political parties cannot be dismantled through such tactics,” the cricketer-turned-politician said.

Political analyst Mehmal Sarfraz noted that the arrests happened in a politically charged atmosphere, as PTI leaders and supporters had warned that Khan’s arrest would be a “red line”.

“Khan says a reaction was bound to happen if he was arrested. Unfortunately for his party leaders, this ‘reaction’ also landed them in hot waters,” she told Al Jazeera. “Some may have left of their own accord following the crackdown on PTI, but many privately say they had to make a choice due to ‘pressure’.”

Pakistan’s military has historically played a dominant role in domestic politics, having ruled the country directly for more than 30 years. Its overt influence has often been blamed for forced defections and the switching of allegiances from one party to another in Pakistan’s tumultuous politics.

The latest political crisis began in April last year when Khan was removed from power in a no-confidence vote in parliament. Since then, the former prime minister has been demanding snap elections. Some observers suggest that the PTI has been in the crosshairs of the establishment since Khan’s removal – with the defections being the latest twist in the saga.

Hassan Javid, a professor of politics at the University of Fraser Valley in British Columbia, Canada, told Al Jazeera that in some cases involving certain leaders, “it is quite clear that the decision to ‘leave’ the PTI is one that has been made under duress.” He cited the departure of top Khan aide Shireen Mazari, who was detained several times since she was first arrested on May 12 over the protests that followed Khan’s arrest.

When she announced her decision to leave politics, Mazari said the ordeal had an impact on her health and her family.

Al Jazeera reached out to Mazari, as well as former PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry and Secretary General Asad Umar for comment on their decisions to quit the party, but the senior leaders did not answer.

But another former PTI member, who served as a lawmaker in the country’s National Assembly and recently announced his decision to quit the party, reluctantly agreed to speak on condition of anonymity.

The leader, who was not among those arrested, said it becomes difficult to resist pressure for too long when such a “massive state crackdown” is taking place.

“When there is an ailing family member alone at home, and police conducts raids at your house multiple times at night, you are left with one choice: To take care of the family member, or to stick with the party,” the politician said, without elaborating.

Others, however, were more forthcoming about their reasons to leave the PTI.

Raja Yasir Humayun, a former minister in the PTI-led regional government in Punjab province, who announced his decision to quit on May 30, said he had been considering leaving the party since last year.

Humayun added he had shared his concerns with the leadership about the party’s direction following Khan’s removal as prime minister.

“Since the time he was removed, Khan was surrounded by sycophants who did not allow any contrarian view around Khan. He also liked people who only presented hawkish views,” Humayun told Al Jazeera. “He is a fast bowler. He does his politics like a fast bowler as well, by always being aggressive.”

Humayun vehemently denied that he quit the PTI under any external pressure, saying it was the events of May 9 which convinced him to take a decision had been pondering for some time.

“I just don’t believe in this kind of violent politics. As a senior party official in Punjab, when you see such a situation, there is guilt and questions of why I am continuing if I don’t agree with party politics,” he added.

Malik Amin Aslam, a former adviser to Khan during his tenure as prime minister who announced his decision to quit on May 18, blamed the PTI for “the path it has taken”.

“The incidents of May 9 could not have happened without prior planning, and it was obvious how specific targets were picked. This is not why I joined the PTI for,” he told Al Jazeera.

While acknowledging his gratitude to Khan for providing a platform for work on climate change, Aslam said he had raised his reservations to the party leader multiple times in the last months on the aggressive stance adopted by the party, but he felt “sidelined”.

“When the leader of the party was in the jail and chaos was spreading outside, it was an opportunity for party leadership to fully condemn it and ask for intra-party investigation and disassociate from miscreants. However, this did not happen, which only reinforced my decision to quit,” Aslam said.

But Raoof Hassan, PTI’s central information secretary, said the defections were only going to help strengthen the party.

“Some of those who left the party are ideologically fully aligned with us, but they had no choice but to leave due to the incredible pressure they faced. Then, there are others who we call migratory birds, and for them, the decision to quit the party is in fact, an act of cleansing,” Hassan said.

“We feel that this will only benefit us. This gives us strength, and courage, and we can see that Imran Khan’s popularity is only increasing.”

Chaudhry, senior vice president of the PTI, quits party, Secretary General Umar resigns from post.

Islamabad, Pakistan – A senior vice president of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Pakistan Movement for Justice, PTI) has quit the party while its secretary general has stepped down from his role, marking another blow to the embattled ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Fawad Chaudhry, the senior vice president and a former federal minister, tweeted that he was “parting ways” with Khan and the party.

“I have decided to take a break from politics, therefore, I have resigned from party position and parting ways from Imran Khan,” Chaudhry wrote.

Hours later, during a news conference in the capital Islamabad, Asad Umar announced he was also stepping down from his leadership position but added that he would remain a PTI member.

“In view of the events of May 9, it is untenable for me to continue in party’s leadership position so I am resigning from the post of secretary general and my membership of core committee,” said Umar, who had been released from a two-week stint in jail earlier in the evening.

Ref. My earlier statement where I unequivocally condemned 9th May incidents, I have decided to take a break from politics, therefore, I have resigned from party position and parting ways from Imran Khan

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) May 24, 2023

With their resignations, Chaudhry and Umar join more than two dozen other leaders from ex-PM Khan’s PTI who have either left their positions or quit the party since his arrest earlier this month.

On Tuesday, former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari quit PTI after being detained several times since May 12, when she was first arrested over the deadly protests that followed Khan’s arrest.

Chaudhry and Umar were also arrested in Islamabad on May 10 on charges related to public order. Chaudhry told reporters after he was released a week later that he condemned the violence sparked by Khan’s arrest.

“Pakistan exists because Pakistan Army exists, and we must devise our policies keeping this point of view at the front,” Chaudhry told reporters after his release.

During his news conference on Wednesday, Umar also condemned the violence.

“Almost everyone condemned what happened on May 9, but I want to talk about why those incidents were dangerous for the country. Lives were lost, people were injured, and state and private properties were damaged,” he said.

“But the most dangerous thing was that installations associated with the army were attacked.”

As more politicians jumped ship, PTI chief Khan tweeted: “We had all heard about forced marriages in Pakistan but for PTI a new phenomenon has emerged, forced divorces.”

We had all heard about forced marriages in Pakistan but for PTI a new phenomenon has emerged , forced divorces.

Also wondering where have all the human rights organizations in the country disappeared.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 23, 2023

The desertions compound Khan’s problems as the 70-year-old politician battles more than 100 legal cases and is trying to avoid being rearrested.

Speaking to reporters at a court in Islamabad on Tuesday, Khan alleged his party leaders were being coerced to leave, without saying who was doing it.

“People are not quitting, they are be­ing forced to leave the party at gunpoint,” he said. “Political parties cannot be dismantled through such tactics.”

Arrests made as government deploys the army to help end deadly unrest sparked by Khan’s arrest three days ago.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party has accused Pakistani authorities of arresting a senior leader as the government deploys the army to help end deadly unrest sparked by Khan’s arrest three days ago.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Thursday alleged Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who served as foreign minister in Khan’s cabinet during his four-year premiership, was arrested overnight.

Two other senior leaders of PTI, Asad Umar and Fawad Chaudhry, were also arrested on Wednesday.

The violence sparked by Khan’s arrest on Tuesday by the country’s anti-corruption agency has aggravated instability in the country of 220 million people as it grapples with a severe economic crisis and a delay to an International Monetary Fund bailout since November.

Protesters have stormed military buildings and ransacked the residence of a top army general in the eastern city of Lahore. Other state buildings and assets have been attacked and set ablaze by protesters.

At least five people have died in the violence.

The federal government on Wednesday approved requests from two of Pakistan’s four provinces – Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both Khan strongholds – and the federal capital Islamabad to deploy troops to restore order.

The Islamabad police said on early on Thursday that troops have reached the capital city.

Police have arrested more than 1,300 protesters in Khan’s home province of Punjab for violence.

Separately, Khan was indicted by a Pakistani court in an unrelated case on Wednesday for unlawfully selling state gifts during his premiership between 2018 and 2022.

The corruption cases against Khan are two of more than 100 cases registered against him since his removal in April 2022 in a parliamentary no-confidence vote.

He has not slowed his campaign against his removal even after being wounded in a November attack.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been arrested on corruption charges by the country’s paramilitary forces in capital Islamabad.

Khan’s arrest on Tuesday sparked nationwide protests and demonstrations, while the government blocked internet services in big cities.

The 70-year-old opposition leader appeared in a court on Wednesday where the authorities are seeking approval to keep the opposition leader in custody for 14 days.

On Tuesday, Khan was appearing in the Islamabad High Court on multiple corruption charges when dozens of agents from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), backed by paramilitary troops, stormed the courtroom and broke windows after Khan’s guards refused to open the door.

The shock arrest deepened an ongoing political turmoil and sparked violent demonstrations across the country, in which at least one person was killed in the southwestern city of Quetta. Dozens of other PTI supporters were wounded in clashes with the security forces.

The arrest and consequential protests have led to officials of other governments and world bodies to call for restraint and calm.

Here is how the world reacted to Khan’s arrest:

United States

The United States has called for respect for democratic principles and the rule of law in Pakistan.

“We are aware of the arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. As we have said before, the United States does not have a position on one political candidate or party versus another,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.

“We call for the respect of democratic principles and the rule of law around the world. So I would refer you to the government of Pakistan for any further information on that,” she said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he wants the rule of law to be followed in the South Asian country.

“I have seen the reports that you have alluded to and we just want to make sure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law with the constitution showing,” Blinken told reporters at a joint news conference with his British counterpart.

United Kingdom

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said he has not yet had the opportunity to be briefed in detail on the developments in Pakistan, but the UK wants to see “peaceful democracy” in the country.

“The UK has a longstanding and close relationship with Pakistan. We are Commonwealth partners. We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want to see the rule of law adhered to. I am uncomfortable to speculate any further without having a detailed briefing on that,” Cleverly said.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Corbyn, a prominent member of British Parliament and former leader of the Labour Party, condemned Khan’s arrest on Twitter.

“The arrest of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, is a dark day for democracy,” he tweeted.

The arrest of former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, is a dark day for democracy.

Solidarity with protestors in Pakistan and beyond demanding his immediate release. pic.twitter.com/qXgQGjhfe2

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) May 10, 2023

United Nations

A top UN official on Tuesday stressed the need to ensure all political figures in Pakistan are treated fairly and that due process is followed.

The official’s comments came hours after Khan was arrested.

European Union

In a statement, the EU emphasised that in such “difficult and tense times” in Pakistan, “restraint and cool headedness were needed”.

“Pakistan’s challenges can only be addressed and its pathway can only be determined by Pakistanis themselves, through sincere dialogue and in line with the rule of law,” it said.

Amnesty International

Rights group Amnesty International said it was concerned about the “escalation in clashes” and called on the Pakistani authorities to “show restraint”.

“The clashes unfolding between Imran Khan’s supporters and security enforcement following the former prime minister’s arrest risks several human rights violations,” it said in a tweet.

PAKISTAN: The clashes unfolding between Imran Khan’s supporters and security enforcement following the former prime minister’s arrest risks several human rights violations.

We call upon authorities to show restraint, and ensure any response is in line with the principles of…

— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) May 9, 2023

The human rights non-profit also expressed concerns about the suspension of mobile internet service and the blockage of social media applications.

It said the suspension “restricts people’s access to information and freedom of expression”.

Pakistan: Amid concerns about escalating clashes between Imran Khan’s supporters and the police, Amnesty International is alarmed by reports that Pakistani authorities have suspended mobile internet and access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) May 9, 2023

 

The move comes as violence erupts in several cities after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Pakistani authorities have restricted access to Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms amid mounting violence in the country generated by the arrest of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“Additionally, total internet shutdowns have been observed in some regions,” NetBlocks, the global internet monitor, said on Tuesday.

Amnesty International said officials at Pakistan’s telecommunication authority told the UK-based rights group that regulators had blocked social media, and that internet service was suspended in Islamabad and other cities.

“This restricts people’s access to information and freedom of expression,” Amnesty International said. “We call upon the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority and Interior Ministry to immediately reverse this ban.”

Khan’s arrest sparked violent demonstrations by his angry supporters who clashed with the police in several major cities.

Months of crisis

The former prime minister was dragged from court on Tuesday after he appeared there to face charges in multiple corruption cases.

His arrest followed months of political crisis and came hours after the powerful military rebuked the former international cricketer for alleging that a senior officer had been involved in a plot to kill him.

Some protesters took out their anger on the military, storming the residence of the corps commander in Lahore and laying siege at a gate of the army’s general headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse Khan supporters in Karachi and Lahore, while protesters blocked roads in the capital Islamabad, Peshawar, and other cities.

Khan has faced dozens of charges since being removed – a tactic analysts have said successive Pakistan governments have used to silence their opponents.

He could be barred from holding public office if convicted, which would exclude him from elections scheduled for later this year.

DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,

Police seal parts of Islamabad and deploy thousands of officers for the court hearing on corruption charges.

Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan police have raided the Lahore home of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan who is on his way to the capital, Islamabad, for a court appearance.

Khan was summoned by the court in relation to a state gift case in which he is set to be indicted on Saturday. Soon after his departure from Lahore, police in the capital of the Punjab province carried out the raid at his residence.

Khan, chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, condemned the raid and said it was carried out while his wife Bushra Begum was alone at home.

“Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this? This is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment,” Khan tweeted.

Meanwhile Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this? This is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 18, 2023

Khan’s appearance in an Islamabad court was ensured after a dramatic few days earlier this week when police launched a two-day operation at his residence to arrest him due to non-appearance.

Footage from Lahore showed police breaking the gate of Khan’s residence on Saturday after they faced resistance by PTI supporters. A tweet shared by his party showed police using batons to target the supporters.

Worst kind of torture in Zaman Park right now. If something happens, will you paint it as accident again!? #چلو_چلو_عمران_کے_ساتھ pic.twitter.com/5S45UDVvMZ

— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 18, 2023

Khan’s arrest warrant, issued by a lower court in Islamabad, was related to his non-appearance in the court to answer a case brought by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

The electoral watchdog had accused him of not declaring gifts received during his time as prime minister from 2018 to 2022, or the profits made from selling them.

Khan denies the charges, saying they are politically motivated.

On Friday the Islamabad High Court suspended the arrest warrant, instructing Khan to ensure his presence.

The former PM expressed his concerns that the authorities are planning to arrest him, a move that, he says, is planned to prevent him from contesting elections later this year.

In a tweet on Saturday while travelling to Islamabad, the PTI chief said the government intended to arrest him.

“Despite knowing their malafide intentions, I am proceeding to Islamabad & the court because I believe in rule of law. But ill intent of this cabal of crooks shd be clear to all. It is also obvious now that the entire siege of Lahore was not about ensuring I appear before the court in a case but was intended to take me away to prison so that I am unable to lead our election campaign,” he said in his tweets.

Earlier on Saturday, Khan said he has formed a committee to lead his party if he is arrested.

“I have made a committee which will obviously take decisions once – if – I’m inside” jail, the 70-year-old said in an interview at his Lahore home before heading to Islamabad. He said there were 94 cases against him.

The legal proceedings against Khan began soon after he was removed from office in a parliamentary vote last year. Since then, he has been demanding a snap election and holding nationwide protest rallies, including one in which he was shot and wounded.

Islamabad, Pakistan – The political party headed by Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan has launched a “Jail Bharo Tehreek” (fill the jails) movement to “protect the fundamental rights of the people”.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Wednesday began its drive from the eastern city of Lahore, where authorities have imposed restrictions on public gatherings in some areas.

In a series of tweets, Khan laid out the reasons for the “peaceful, non-violent protest against the attack on our constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights”.

“We are facing sham FIRs (first information reports filed by police) and NAB (non-bailable) cases, custodial torture, attacks on journalists and social media people,” he wrote.

The 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician further said the protest is “against the economic meltdown” in Pakistan “brought on by a cabal of crooks who have money laundered billions in looted wealth” and caused “spiralling inflation and rising unemployment”.

media ppl. Two, it is against the economic meltdown brought on by cabal of crooks who have money laundered billions in looted wealth & gotten NROs for themselves while crushing the ppl, esp the poor & middle class, under the burden of spiralling inflation & rising unemployment.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 22, 2023

In a video message shared on PTI’s Twitter page, Khan said the purpose of the movement was to achieve “true freedom” in Pakistan.

“Actually, this campaign will take you to a free and happy Pakistan. And this will only happen when the state protects your fundamental rights,” he said.

Khan was removed from power in April last year after he lost a parliamentary vote of confidence. Since then, he has been holding mass protests to demand early national elections, otherwise scheduled for later this year.

PTI leader Ejaz Chaudhry told Al Jazeera that 200 party supporters would seek arrest in Lahore on Wednesday. “We will gather at Lahore’s Mall Road where we will surrender ourselves to the authorities for arrest,” he said.

Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, another PTI politician, said the purpose of the movement is to counter the “intimidation tactics” of the authorities, adding that the party workers were not afraid of going to jail.

“We are starting this movement to break the idols of fear. We are not scared of going to jail. We have thousands of volunteers eager to give up their personal freedoms,” she told Al Jazeera.

Cheema said the PTI’s top leadership was eager to surrender themselves to the police, but party chief Khan stopped them. “Some of our top leaders were keen on going to jail but Imran Khan stopped them so that the movement’s strategy and decision-making is not affected,” she said.

Amir Mir, the interim information minister of Punjab province where Lahore falls, said the authorities have imposed Section 144 in some areas of the city. Section 144 is a colonial-era law which bans the gathering of more than four people in one place.

“We don’t have enough space in Lahore jails, so we have decided to send them to Mianwali and Dera Ghazi Khan jails in the province. We have enough space there,” Mir said.

Mir said the PTI chief should set an example by leading the movement and courting arrest.

“Imran Khan must end this contradiction where he is seeking bails so he can avoid going to jail, but on the other hand is exhorting his workers to surrender. He should show his leadership and give himself up for arrest rather than asking his workers to do so,” he said.

In response, Cheema said Khan was the single most important person in the party and that it would do anything to protect him.

“He is completely prepared to go to jail and is mentally ready for it. However, the party leadership was unanimous that he must be protected at any cost. He is our foremost priority, and we all think it will be a big mistake if he goes to jail,” she said.

Political commentator and former member of parliament, Ayaz Amir, believes Khan’s PTI has managed to put pressure on the government with their protests. He called the “fill the jails” protest movement “yet another headache” for the ruling coalition in Islamabad.

“It remains to be seen how this move will impact the government,” he told Al Jazeera. “But the fact of the matter is if there are people who are willing to go to jail for Khan, it is an embarrassment for the government.”