Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Wednesday that police have surrounded his home and that his arrest is imminent. Khan's lawyer stated that he has received an extension of his bail period, which prevents his arrest until May 31. An official announced that those involved in violent protests following his arrest will be tried in military courts.
Khan's lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, said the court extended his bail without the possibility of arrest, which was set to expire on Wednesday, because the prosecution requested more time to present details of the case. The government has accused Khan of sheltering aides and supporters wanted in connection to the attacks that followed his arrest and has given him 24 hours to surrender them or face police action. Khan tweeted on Wednesday evening, "Probably my last tweet before my next arrest," adding that police have cordoned off his home in Lahore.
In a video statement, he said his opponents are trying to provoke a clash between him and the military, adding, "I fear this could lead to a violent reaction resulting in massive losses for our country... If someone thinks this strategy can succeed in imposing a ban on my party, that will not happen." He called for the establishment of a judicial committee headed by the Chief Justice to investigate the violence.
Khan's arrest, which followed his ousting in a parliamentary no-confidence vote in April last year, has deepened the political instability in Pakistan, a country of 220 million people. Pakistan is already facing its worst economic crisis, exacerbated by delays in securing critical funding from the International Monetary Fund to avoid a balance of payments crisis. Khan's supporters stormed dozens of government and public buildings and set them on fire, including the army headquarters, following his arrest.
