A Pakistani court has indicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, in a corruption case while he remains imprisoned, according to officials and his political party, reports AP The charges were read to Khan and Bibi in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Thursday, where both pleaded not guilty. The couple is accused of retaining and selling state gifts, including jewellery received during Khan's tenure, at a price below their market value. New cases have been filed against Imran Khan and his wife Pakistani law permits government officials and politicians to retain gifts received from foreign dignitaries while in office, provided they pay their market value and declare any earnings from their sale. Following their indictment, the case was adjourned until 18 December. This marks the second corruption case involving the couple. Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claim that all charges against them are politically motivated to ensure his continued imprisonment. Khan has been incarcerated for over a year following his conviction in a separate case in 2023. Pakistan ends lockdown after dispersing Imran Khan supporters Since his removal through a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022, Khan has faced nearly 200 criminal cases.

Supporters seeking the release of imprisoned Pakistani former premier Imran Khan on Tuesday broke through a ring of shipping containers locking down the capital Islamabad, battled police, and ignored a government threat to respond with gunfire. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowds and at least one person has died in clashes. Scores more have been injured, including journalists who were attacked by Khan supporters. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for The Associated Press and broke his camera. He sustained head injuries and was being treated in a hospital. Thousands of Imran Khan supporters arrested ahead of Islamabad rally Shortly after midnight, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had threatened protesters that police would respond with live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “If they again fire bullets, the bullet will be responded with the bullet.” he said. Khan, who has been in jail for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains popular. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. Authorities say only courts can order the release of Khan, who was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He has been imprisoned since his first conviction in a graft case, in August 2023, and has been sentenced in several cases. Khan’s supporters were around 10 km (6.2 miles) from their destination, the city’s Red Zone that houses key government buildings. Naqvi said Khan's party rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. In a bid to foil the protest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. On Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All educational institutions remain closed. Mobile internet services and messaging platforms are experiencing severe disruption in the capital. The PTI relies heavily on social media to demand his release and uses messaging platforms like WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The violence comes during an official visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

A Pakistani court granted bail Wednesday to former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a graft case, his lawyer said. But with a slew of other charges pending against him, the opposition leader is staying in prison. Still, the order by a superior court in the capital, Islamabad, was a boost for Khan in the case in which he is accused, along with his wife, Bushra Bibi, of keeping and selling state gifts in violation of government rules when he was in power. Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament in 2022, has denied the charge. The hearings in the trial on the graft charges started in July and are still ongoing. Khan has so far been embroiled in over 150 cases and has been sentenced in several, including to three years, 10 years, 14 years and seven years to be served concurrently under Pakistani law. His convictions were later overturned in appeals but he cannot be freed due to other, pending cases against him. His lawyer, Salman Safdar said he remained confident Khan would be freed but experts say there are at least eight cases standing in the way of Khan's release on bail. Khan, who has been held in a prison in the garrison city of Rawalpindi for over a year, has maintained his innocence and has argued that the cases are an attempt to sideline him politically by keeping him out of the public area. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, has also been demanding his release. Khan’s supporters have called for a rally in Islamabad on Sunday to demand his release — despite a government ban on the gathering. A suicide car bombing at a security post in northwestern Pakistan has killed 12 troops Pakistan’s laws allow government officials and politicians to keep gifts given to them by foreign dignitaries, but they must correctly declare the market value of those gifts and declare any money they earned after selling them. Last month, Bibi was freed on bail in the same case but will have to appear in court for the hearings alongside her husband.

A group of 46 US lawmakers has called on President Joe Biden to push for the immediate release of Pakistan's former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, along with other political prisoners, citing concerns for their safety based on findings from the UN Working Group. In a letter addressed to the outgoing president, members of Congress urged Biden to take concrete steps aligned with “H. Res. 901,” a resolution passed in June by a significant majority in the US House of Representatives. This resolution underscores concerns over escalating human rights violations and the erosion of civil liberties in Pakistan. Sharing the letter on its official X account, PTI stated: “46 members of the US House of Representatives, representing both Republican and Democratic parties, have written to President Joe Biden urging immediate action for Imran Khan’s release.” The letter, led by lawmakers Susan Wild and John James, also criticized US Ambassador Donald Blome for failing to address the concerns of the Pakistani-American community or advocate for democratic principles, human rights, and the release of political prisoners. The lawmakers highlighted irregularities in Pakistan’s February 2024 elections, labeling them “flawed” due to electoral fraud, suppression of the PTI, and reversed results favoring independent candidates allied with PTI. They expressed alarm over worsening conditions since the elections, including mass arrests, arbitrary detentions, curbs on freedom of expression, and restrictions on social media access. Read: Supporters of Pakistan’s imprisoned ex-PM Imran Khan rally to demand his release Qureshi Urges PTI Leadership to Seek Input from Jailed Leaders Meanwhile, PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi criticized his party for sidelining him from discussions on Pakistan's political crisis despite his four decades of experience. Speaking to reporters after a court appearance on Saturday, Qureshi urged PTI leaders to consult imprisoned senior members in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail. “I appeal to the PTI leadership to visit us when possible to gather insights on resolving the current deadlock,” he said. Qureshi, who has been in prison for over a year, urged PTI to engage with like-minded political parties to forge a consensus on key issues such as rule of law, judicial independence, and human rights. He reaffirmed his loyalty to Imran Khan and expressed support for the November 24 protest, urging party members and supporters to join. The seasoned politician also called on Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to focus on building alliances with democratic forces rather than criticizing coalition partner Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Qureshi’s remarks come as tensions rise within Pakistan's political landscape, with various parties voicing grievances against one another amid the ongoing crisis. Source: agency

The mysterious and enigmatic persona of Bushra Bibi, third wife of former Pakistani Prime Minister and cricket legend Imran Khan, has come under heightened scrutiny, particularly following their recent conviction in a corruption case. In stark contrast to Khan’s two previous high-profile marriages with British socialite Jemima Goldsmith and journalist Reham Khan, Bushra has maintained a veiled and low-profile existence, emphasizing her intellect and character rather than her appearance, as disclosed by Khan in 2018, reports BBC. Apart from her discreet personal life, it is Bushra’s “mystical” attributes that have fueled widespread speculation. Recognized as a faith healer with a small following, she garnered respect as a spiritual adviser, rooted in the Sufi tradition that emphasizes the inner quest for God and detachment from worldly concerns, it said. The marriage of Khan and Bushra in 2018 marked a departure from his previous grand unions, with the ceremony influenced by their shared interest in Sufism and conducted with minimal fanfare. Rumors circulate that Khan sought advice from Bushra after encountering her at a 13th-century Sufi shrine, where she purportedly dreamt that their union would pave the way for Khan to become the prime minister. Subsequently, they married, and six months later, Khan assumed office. Read: Pakistan's imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan is convicted again, days before elections  Bushra, however, binned the claim. The subsequent years of Imran Khan’s tenure were marked by economic challenges, rising living costs, political oppression, curtailed media freedoms, and human rights violations. His political downfall ensued, culminating in his ousting in 2022 through a vote of no confidence and subsequent arrests. The recent corruption case resulting in imprisonment and fines for both Khan and Bushra has raised questions about her role in the alleged illegal selling of state gifts, valued at over RS 140 million ($501,000; £395,000), the report said. Facing a 14-year sentence, Bushra also contends with legal challenges from her former husband, Khawar Maneka – a civil servant and son of a well-known politician – filed a complaint alleging fraudulent marriage and fornication. Under Muslim family law, women are prohibited from remarrying for a few months after their husband dies or they are divorced. It is alleged that Bushra married Imran Khan before the completion of the stipulated time following her divorce from Khawar Maneka. As Bushra Bibi navigates through these legal complexities, a government notice suggests she will be placed under house arrest in Islamabad until further orders. The intriguing narrative surrounding Imran Khan’s mysterious third wife continues to unfold, leaving many unanswered questions about her role and influence in the tumultuous political landscape. Read more: Jinnah House attack case: Imran called for quizzing

Pakistan's former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan has been summoned by a joint investigation team (JIT) over the attack on the Lahore Corps Commander House (Jinnah House) on May 9. The JIT has called Khan to appear before them at the Qilla Gujjar police headquarters on Tuesday at 4 pm, reports Dawn. The summons is in connection with a case registered against the attack at the Sarwar Road police station. Imran Khan has been accused of abetting the attackers who vandalized and set fire to the Jinnah House while he was in prison.  “Imran Khan is required to attend the office of the DIG Investigation to join the investigation proceedings entrusted to the JTI formed by the Punjab government, reads the summon notice, issued by Lahore DIG (investigation) Kamran Adil. Lahore police chief Bilal Siddique Kamyana has confirmed the summoning of the PTI chief for questioning. The former prime minister will be interrogated to determine the extent of his involvement in the attack. Several other senior PTI leaders and activists have also been named in the FIR. The decision to summon Imran Khan came after Lahore SSP (investigation) Dr Anoosh Masood visited Kot Lakhpat jail where PTI leader Dr Yasmin Rashid and fashion designer Khadija Shah, who was arrested in connection with the attack, are being held. This visit followed Imran Khan's accusations against the caretaker Punjab government of mistreating PTI's imprisoned women supporters. Imran Khan had made unverified claims of the rape of PTI women political prisoners. “I have heard about the rape of PTI women political prisoners,” he said.  

A prominent Pakistani television journalist who went missing last week, apparently because of his public support to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, returned home early Tuesday after being released by his captors, his family and his employer said. Sami Abrahim's brother, Ali Raza, took to Twitter to confirm his release. BOL TV confirmed his release in a news announcement. Abrahim went missing Thursday when eight people in four vehicles intercepted his car on his way back home from work in the capital, Islamabad, and took him away, according to his family and BOL TV where Abrahim works. No one had claimed responsibility for Abrahim's abduction, but it is widely believed that he was being held by the country's security agencies, which are notorious for abducting, harassing and torturing journalists. Abrahim has long publicly opposed the government of Khan's successor, Premier Shahbaz Sharif. Khan, a former cricket star who became an Islamist politician, was in office in 2018-2022 and was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament last year. Another pro-Khan TV journalist, Imran Riaz, went missing earlier this month and was yet to be freed.

The arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan earlier this week has shown how quickly his fervent loyalists can mobilize in large numbers. Within hours of his detention, his supporters torched vehicles and buildings, and attacked police and military facilities to express their fury over the treatment of the 70-year-old opposition leader. Khan’s supporters have emerged as a major force, challenging the authority of the government and military, aware that they can shift the political balance through unrelenting pressure. Although Khan has since been released from detention, it's clear his supporters are ready to stay on the streets. Here's a look at who they are and what's driving them: Also Read: Pakistan government supporters to stage rare sit-in, protest release of former Premier Imran Khan WHAT IS IMRAN KHAN'S APPEAL? Khan has been a star in Pakistan for decades. As an athlete, in 1992 he led the country to its only World Cup victory in cricket, a massive sport in South Asia. That made him a hero to tens of millions of people before he even entered politics. He founded Pakistan’s first cancer hospital, named after his mother, and ventured into philanthropy. His anti-corruption mantra is a hit in a country riddled with graft. And he has claimed he is the only leader who can stand up to the West and, in particular, the United States. It's a popular narrative in Pakistan, where resentment of foreign involvement in domestic matters is deep-seated. Also Read: Pakistani court frees former Prime Minister Imran Khan WHO ARE HIS SUPPORTERS? Khan's appeal spans social classes. Loyalists include young educated Pakistanis without links to the two main political dynasties, the Sharifs and the Bhuttos. He also appeals to the diaspora and illiterate people in rural areas who have no access to social media or the internet. Unifying these groups is Khan's message about challenging the elites and the status quo. He feeds his supporters' sense of disenfranchisement. Men, women, young and old travel by the thousands to hear him speak at open-air rallies. His support among people in their 20s and 30s explains his party's dominance of social media, especially Twitter. Most of his powerbase lies in the eastern Punjab province and the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. HOW IS THIS OUTBREAK OF VIOLENCE DIFFERENT? Neither this week's violent clashes with law enforcement nor the mass arrest of activists and leaders from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party have deterred his followers. They say they will not allow harm to be done to Khan, and swear to take revenge against anyone daring to cross what they call their red line, in this case his arrest. Also Read: Pakistan deploys troops to halt unrest after ex-Prime Minister Khan is ordered held on new charges This level of violence hasn’t been seen since 2007, when then-Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated and her followers rampaged for days. The suspension of social media and mobile internet hasn't stopped Khan's supporters from turning out in the thousands. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The turmoil this week has placed the government, security forces and judiciary in a tough position. While Khan's supporters haven't brought Pakistan to a standstill, they have disrupted daily life. Educational institutions have shuttered temporarily, consumer spending has fallen as people stay home, industry has slowed, daily governance has ground to a halt, while the suspension of mobile internet has impacted services like food delivery and ride-hailing apps. Also Read: Pakistan on edge as court decides whether ex-PM Imran Khan goes free or is rearrested Khan's arrest and what critics view as the government’s fixation on him have only stoked the passions of his loyalists, who say they are prepared to do anything to save him.

Convoys of buses and vehicles filled with Pakistani pro-government supporters are flooding the main road leading to the country's capital on Monday to protest the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Thousands are making their way toward the Supreme Court for a rare sit-in against its decision to give Khan, now opposition leader, an “undue reprieve” following his arrest in a graft case. The 70-year-old Khan was released on bail and given protection from arrest until later this month. Also Read: Pakistani court frees former Prime Minister Imran Khan The call to protest is a sign of escalating tensions between the judiciary and the government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who replaced Khan after his ouster in a no-confidence vote in Parliament in April 2022. Pakistan Democratic Movement, an alliance of 13 political parties affiliated with the ruling Pakistan Muslim League has called for the sit-in over the weekend. The radical Islamist political party Jamiat-e-Ulema-Islam is leading the protest call. Also as part of the alliance, Pakistan People’s Party led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari — the son of assassinated Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto — is also joining the protest. The sit-in is expected to take place despite a ban on rallies and public gatherings that the government imposed in the wake of the crisis. “Our peaceful protest is against Chief Justice (Umar Ata Bandial) for facilitating the release of Imran Khan,” said Fazalur Rehman, the head of Pakistan Democratic Alliance. As he spoke, more than 3,000 supporters had already gathered near the sprawling court building. In a televised statement on Monday, Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif accused the Supreme Court of siding with Khan. He suggested the court “examine the conduct of the chief justice" and take legal action against him. Last Tuesday, Khan was dramatically arrested from a courtroom in Islamabad and dragged out by agents of the National Accountability Bureau on charges of accepting millions of dollars worth of property in exchange for providing benefits to a real estate tycoon. Also Read: Pakistan on edge as court decides whether ex-PM Imran Khan goes free or is rearrested Khan’s arrest triggered a wave of violent protests across Pakistan. Supporters of Khan and his Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf party, clashed with police, set fire to more than 100 police vehicles, and burned down government buildings and even military facilities, including the residence of a top regional army commander in the eastern city of Lahore. A year after his ouster, Khan, a former cricket star turned Islamist politician, is still widely popular in Pakistan. Khan blames Sharif, the country’s military and Washington for his removal from power, saying it was part of a conspiracy to discredit him. All three have denied the charge. Later in the day, Khan will appear before a top court in Lahore city to seek bail and protection from arrest in terrorism cases filed against him because of last week's violence instigated by his supporters. Cash-strapped Pakistan is facing political turmoil amid stalled talks with the International Monetary Fund for the revival of a 2019 bailout to avoid a default on sovereign payment.

Pakistan braced for more turmoil a day after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was dragged from court in Islamabad and his supporters clashed with police across the country. The 70-year-old opposition leader appeared in court Wednesday for a hearing in which a judge was asked to approve keeping him in custody for up to 14 days. Khan, who lost power last year but remains the country's most popular opposition figure, is the seventh former prime minister to be arrested in Pakistan. His arrest deepened political turmoil and sparked violent demonstrations on Tuesday. At least one person was killed in the southwestern city of Quetta, and dozens were wounded in various parts of the country. The judge is expected to rule on the request for a 14-day detention later on Wednesday, officials said. Khan earlier in the day met with his legal team at the court in the capital, Islamabad. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party called for demonstrators to remain peaceful, hours after mobs angered over the dramatic arrest set fire to the residence of a top army general in the eastern city of Lahore. Khan was appearing in court on multiple graft charges brought by Islamabad police Tuesday, when dozens of agents from the National Accountability Bureau backed by paramilitary troops stormed the courtroom, breaking windows after Khan's guards refused to open the door. Khan’s supporters attacked the military’s headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near the capital, Islamabad, but did not reach the main building housing the offices of army chief Gen. Asim Munir. Other demonstrators tried to reach the prime minister's residence in Lahore, but were driven off by baton-wielding in police. Others attacked vehicles carrying troops and hit armed soldiers with sticks. So far, police and soldiers have not fired at protesters. The military has not commented on the attacks on its facilities. A police statement Wednesday said officers in eastern Punjab province have arrested 945 Khan supporters since Tuesday — including Asad Umar, a senior leader from Khan's party. Dozens of Khan supporters were also detained in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar and elsewhere. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, senior vice president from Khan’s party, appealed for peaceful demonstrations Wednesday, urging followers: “Don’t damage public property, don’t attack offices, as we are peace lovers.” He said the party is considering challenging Khan's arrest in the Supreme Court. On Wednesday morning, police said that at least 2,000 protesters still surrounded the fire-damaged residence in Lahore of Lt. Gen. Salman Fayyaz Ghani, a top regional commander. They chanted slogans at the military, including “Khan is our red line and you have crossed it.” Ghani and his family members were moved to a safer place when the mob on Tuesday first attacked their sprawling house. Police deployed in force across the country, and placed shipping containers on a road leading to the sprawling police compound in Islamabad where Khan is being held. Khan will appear before a judge in the same compound later today, in a temporary court placed there for security reasons, according to a notice from the government. Babar Awan, a lawyer for Khan, said that he is trying to get to the courtroom. Amid violence, Pakistan Pakistan’s telecommunication authority on Tuesday blocked social media, including Twitter. The government also suspended internet service in the capital of Islamabad and other cities. Classes at some private schools were canceled for Wednesday. Rights group Amnesty International said it was alarmed by reports of Pakistani authorities blocking access to mobile internet networks and social media. Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are suspended in the country for a second day. The group has urged authorities to show restraint, saying clashes between law enforcement and Khan’s supporters risk human rights violations. The National Accountability Bureau has detained and investigated former officials, including former prime ministers, politicians and retired military officers. But some view the NAB as a tool used by those in power, especially the military, to crack down on political opponents. When Khan was in power, his government arrested Sharif, then the opposition leader, through the NAB. Sharif was facing multiple corruption cases when he managed to oust Khan in a 2022 no-confidence vote. The charges were later dropped, citing a lack of evidence. The current prime minister’s brother, Nawaz Sharif, who also served as prime minister, was arrested several times on corruption allegations. In March, police stormed Khan’s Lahore residence, seeking to arrest him in a corruption case related to hiding income from the sale of official gifts. Dozens of people, including police, were injured in ensuing clashes. Khan was not arrested at the time and later obtained bail. As violence spread Wednesday, diplomats from various countries and common people in Pakistan stayed home. The U.S. Embassy in Islamabad canceled all its Wednesday consular appointments following Khan’s arrest and issued a nationwide alert, telling Americans to review their personal security plans and avoid large crowds.