Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan stormed the Pakistan Army headquarters and the Corps Commander’s residence after his arrest in a corruption case. Khan was arrested by paramilitary Rangers while undergoing a biometric process at the Islamabad High Court. The Interior Minister stated that Khan was arrested for causing loss to the national treasury. The arrest came after the army accused Khan of making baseless allegations against a senior officer of the spy agency ISI. Protests broke out across Pakistan and turned violent in several cities, with damage to public property.
Khan’s supporters smashed the main gate of the army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi and stormed into the Corps Commander Lahore residence, chanting slogans against the establishment. The army personnel did not try to stop the protesters who surrounded them. The Punjab government called the Rangers to control the law-and-order situation and imposed section 144, banning gatherings of more than five people. Internet and mobile services were suspended in areas where violent protests took place. Protests also occurred in other cities.
