Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan charged under terrorism act

Pakistan’s police have charged the country’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, under anti-terror laws.

Their investigation comes after he accused the police and judiciary of detaining and torturing a close aide, reports BBC.

Imran Khan’s supporters gathered outside his house vowing to “take over” if he was arrested. However, he has now been granted pre-arrest bail until Thursday.

Since being ousted from power in April, Imran Khan has been a vocal critic of the government and the country’s army.

Police announced the charges after the cricketer-turned-politician accused authorities of torturing his close aide, who is himself being detained under sedition charges.

Officials accused Imran of breaching the country’s anti-terrorism act for allegedly making threats against the state officials.

Hundreds of the former prime minister’s supporters gathered outside his home in Islamabad after news of the investigation broke, vowing to “take over” the capital if police tried to detain him.

Draped in the flags of Khan’s party, they have camped out at the gate of his hilltop residence of Bani Gala, chanting and singing in support of the former leader.

It is not known if he is at home. He is yet to address the latest charge.

Imran Khan’s political allies warned on Monday that arresting the ousted leader would be crossing a “red line”.

“If Imran Khan is arrested... we will take over Islamabad,” tweeted a former minister in Khan’s cabinet, Ali Amin Gandapur.

Islamabad’s High Court approved the three-day protective bail, but directed him towards an anti-terrorism court saying it was the appropriate forum to address the issue.

The case comes at a time of heightened tension between Pakistan’s government and Imran Khan, who was ousted from power in April in a no-confidence vote.

Since then, the former leader has toured the country to deliver a series of fiery speeches calling for fresh elections and fiercely criticising both the government and the army.

Despite his ousting, Imran Khan continues to count on the support of many Pakistani voters.