The arrest of former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has led to widespread protests throughout the country.
The United Nations has taken note of the escalating situation, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres urging all parties to abstain from violence.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, shared Guterres’ appeal for all involved to respect the right to peaceful assembly and emphasized the importance of law enforcement officials upholding the law when dealing with Khan.
“The Secretary-General encourages the authorities to respect due process and adhere to the rule of law in the proceedings against former Prime Minister Khan,” the spokesperson stated.
Khan had sought bail at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for various cases but was apprehended by numerous paratroopers on the court’s premises. This event ignited fierce confrontations nationwide, resulting in the detainment of hundreds of PTI party members, including former federal ministers Asad Umar, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Fawad Chaudhry, and Ali Zaidi.
Party supporters armed with sticks and wearing face masks in several cities clashed with security forces who used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Some protestors even breached the army headquarters in Rawalpindi, chanting heated slogans.
The UN’s plea for peace comes while intensifying tensions and violent conflicts across Pakistan.
