Former Prime Minister Imran Khan confirmed on Monday that security forces have arrested dozens of his supporters and aides in raids as part of a campaign targeting those involved in recent clashes with law enforcement. He pointed out that the government and the military are trying to prevent him from participating in the upcoming elections scheduled for November. If he is convicted in any case, this could render him ineligible to run for office. Both the military and the government deny these accusations.
Supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party clashed with police in Lahore last week during an attempt to arrest him from his home, and later confronted police in Islamabad when he appeared in court on Saturday.
Fawad Chaudhry, one of Khan's aides, told Reuters that "285 party supporters were arrested in Lahore and Islamabad. The police raided the homes of all senior leaders last night." Police in both Lahore and Islamabad confirmed the raids and arrests of supporters of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party, stating that those detained were involved in clashes with police and in committing arson.
