Shehbaz Sharif Govt Accused of Hindering Elections by Imran Khan, Calls for Judicial Investigation of May 9 Violence

Imran Khan, former Prime Minister of Pakistan and leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, has called for a judicial commission to investigate the recent violence following his arrest by paramilitary Rangers at Islamabad High Court on May 9. Khan claims that evidence exists implicating those behind a conspiracy to ban his party and that a judicial commission would reveal their identities. He also accused the government of preventing free and fair elections, stating that stability in Pakistan depends upon such elections taking place. The arrest of Khan has resulted in violent protests across the country by his supporters. Khan claims that the police have surrounded his house in Lahore and that he expects to be arrested soon. He also urged the government not to use recent events as an excuse to crackdown on his party, claiming that 25 PTI workers have died, 700 have been injured and 7,500 are in jail including women. The government has given a 24-hour ultimatum for PTI to hand over 30-40 miscreants who are believed to have attacked military installations and are present in Zaman Park residence. The trial of these individuals will be held in a military court, according to the Punjab Interim Caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir.