Former Pakistan PM Charged Under Terrorism Act for ‘Threatening’ Judge, Police Officers: Reports

Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Imran Khan speaks during a joint press conference with at the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Nov. 19, 2020. (Mohammad Ismail/Reuters)

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been charged under the country’s terrorism act for allegedly “threatening” police officers and a female magistrate in his rally speech on Aug. 20, according to local reports.

A first information report (FIR) was filed against Khan on Aug. 21, stating that he “terrorized and threatened” Additional Sessions Judge Zeba Chaudhry and police officers during a public rally in Islamabad.

Magistrate Ali Javed filed the FIR at the Margalla Police Station of Islamabad under section 7 of the anti-terrorism act, local news agency Geo TV reported. It remains unclear whether Khan was subject to an arrest warrant.

The FIR was filed in connection with Khan’s statement on Aug. 20 that he would file charges against two police officials and Chaudhry for the alleged “gruesome torture” of his adviser, Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested last week on sedition charges.

Khan blamed Chaudhry for approving Gill’s two-day detention, accusing the government of trying to intimidate his party “by torturing Gill.”

Live Speech Banned

Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog has banned satellite television channels from broadcasting Khan’s live speeches, citing what it called “hate speech” against state institutions.

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) stated that Khan has been “continuously alleging state institutions by leveling baseless accusations” and spreading hatred through his speeches.

“All the licensees were directed to refrain from telecasting any content in any manner (either recorded or produced under its banner or aired during a live speech or press talk) against state institutions,” PEMRA stated in a video carried by Geo TV.

Soon after the television ban, Khan’s party vowed to go live on “500+ YouTube and Facebook channels.”

However, many Pakistani users reported problems accessing YouTube on Aug. 21, just as Khan was about to address a gathering in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Probe Into Khan’s Party

Khan, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s chairman, had called for fresh elections and rallied thousands of his supporters to Islamabad after being ousted from power in April through a parliamentary vote.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) opened a probe of his party after the Election Commission ruled that it had received illicit offshore funding.

The FIA issued a second notice to Khan on Aug. 19, requesting that he provide details of his party’s funds and bank accounts.

Reuters contributed to this report.