Pakistan’s former prime minister wants to appear in court after all

EPAImran Khan among supporters in Lahore

NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 21:57

Pakistan’s former prime minister and opposition politician Imran Khan is prepared to appear in court tomorrow. His lawyer said this after the court in the capital Islamabad had suspended an arrest warrant against him.

The Pakistani Public Prosecution Service suspects him of corruption. He is suspected, among other things, of selling gifts that he received from politicians from Saudi Arabia and Dubai, including expensive watches, during his time as prime minister (2018-2022). An arrest warrant was issued against him because he refused to be questioned several times.

Khan denies the allegations. His opponents would like to silence him politically. If he ignores the summons to come to court again, he also risks prosecution for contempt of court.

Violent riots

Khan has been hiding in his home in Lahore for weeks. Supporters prevented the police from coming to pick him up there. This was accompanied by violent unrest on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The politician is popular among the populace for his achievements in cricket, the most popular sport in Pakistan. He became a great sporting hero when he won the world title in 1992 as captain of the national cricket team.

Khan also said on Wednesday that he wants to appear in court, but that he is concerned for his safety. Last November, he was hit in the leg when an unknown gunman opened fire on him.

Source