Court bars police from arresting ex-premier

ISLAMABAD (AP):

A Pakistani court on Thursday extended former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s protection from arrest through to the end of the month, officials said, after police filed terrorism charges against the country’s popular opposition leader.

The decision effectively shields Khan from arrest until September 1 over accusations that during a speech last weekend, he had threatened police officers and a female judge – remarks that triggered the terrorism charges.

The decision also temporarily alleviates concerns of violent clashes between police and supporters of the former premier. Khan has been leading mass rallies and seeking early elections since he was ousted in April in a no-confidence vote in Parliament. The government says elections will be held as scheduled next year.

Outside the anti-terrorism court on Thursday, Khan told reporters that he had never threatened anyone. He also said the terrorism charges against him were politically motivated and that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s government fears Khan’s growing popularity.

“You are making fun of Pakistan,” Khan said of Sharif’s government.

Khan’s lawyer, Babar Awan, said the terrorism charges against Khan are “an act of revenge”.

Arriving at court, Khan’s vehicle was stopped at the gates and he was asked to walk into the compound, as ordinary suspects do, rather than drive up to the building as VIPs do.

Hundreds of Khan’s supporters gathered outside the court building, chanting slogans against Sharif’s government and claiming that Khan is being politically victimised, a charge the government denies.

Sharif replaced Khan after the April no-confidence vote. Legal experts say Khan could face from several months to 14 years in prison, the equivalent of a life sentence, if he is found guilty. It is unclear when the trial on terrorism charges will start.

Khan faces two other cases against him.

Later on Thursday, he appeared briefly before another court, where a criminal case was registered against him this week on charges of defying a ban on staging rallies in the capital, Islamabad. He is protected from arrest in that case as well, until September 7.

Khan is also to appear before the Islamabad High Court on August 31 to face contempt proceedings on charges of threatening a judge – the third case against him. Under Pakistani law, if convicted on that charge, he will be disqualified from politics for life. No convicted person can run for office.

It is the second time that Khan – a former cricket star turned Islamist politician – faces contempt charges. After elections in 1993, he was summoned but pardoned by the Supreme Court after describing the conduct of the judiciary as “shameful”, and saying it did not ensure free and fair elections.