Violent Protests grow across Pakistan against former PM Imran Khan's arrest

In Pakistan, violent protests are growing against the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. At least two persons were killed and five others were injured in clashes between PTI protesters and the military in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. 

Similar violence also resulted in roughly 15 injuries in Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Lahore and Islamabad. Imran Khan's supporters attacked and burned the official residence of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad as well as that of a top regional commander in Lahore. Protesters also smashed the main gate of the Pakistan Army’s headquarters in the garrison city of



Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, according to the police, Imran Khan will not be brought to court and his scheduled hearing will take place at the location where he was under custody. Mr Khan has to appear in a special court at Islamabad’s police headquarters to answer corruption allegations.

Many countries have issued travel advisories for their citizens and diplomatic staff, citing political unrest in Pakistan. The US Embassy has announced a travel alert for its citizens in Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Canadian government asked its citizens and diplomatic staff to exercise a high degree of caution in Pakistan due to the unpredictable security situation.