Ousted Pakistan PM Imran Khan charged on suspicion on terrorism offences

19 March 2023 , 20:30

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Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has been charged (Image: Rana Sajid Hussain/Pacific Press/REX/Shutterstock)

Police in Pakistan have charged former prime minister Imran Khan on suspicion of terrorism offences.

The ousted premier’s followers clashed with police in Islamabad on Saturday, outside a court where he was due to appear in a corruption case.

Riot police wielded batons and fired tear gas while Khan’s supporters threw fire bombs and hurled rocks.

More than 50 officers were injured.

Besides Khan, the case filed on Sunday also accuses scores of Khan’s aides and supporters.

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Supporters of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan, carry placards displaying a portrait of Khan in Karachi (AFP via Getty Images)

Charges include terrorism, obstructing police officers, attacks on police, wounding officers and threatening their lives.

The developments are the latest involving increasing violence surrounding 70-year-old Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament last April.

Khan supporters clash with police outside the court (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Since then, the former cricketer turned politician has claimed his removal from power was a conspiracy by the government of his successor, Shahbaz Sharif, and Washington.

Both Mr Sharif and the United States have denied the allegations.

The case has seen widespread protests (SOHAIL SHAHZAD/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Officers and Khan supporters clashed for two days in a standoff in Lahore earlier last week, after police arrived at Khan’s home to arrest him.

Khan failed to appear in court on Saturday, blaming police actions. The hearing was postponed until March 30.

Zarar Khan