Pakistan's government accuses ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan of treason, deepening political turmoil
Pakistan’s government says it plans to file treason charges against imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan for wrongfully dissolving parliament in 2022 and to ban his political party for allegedly receiving foreign funding
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s government plans to file treason charges against imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan for wrongfully dissolving parliament in 2022 and to ban his political party for allegedly receiving foreign funding, the information minister said Monday.
The moves are certain to deepen the country’s political turmoil, which began after Khan’s 2022 ouster in a no-confidence vote in parliament. Khan, the main rival of current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, remains a popular figure despite a series of criminal cases against him that he and his supporters say are politically motivated.
Khan's spokesman said the government's latest moves are a desperate response to recent court verdicts throwing out previous convictions against Khan, and an independent human rights commission urged the government to withdraw the plans.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the government would file treason cases against Khan, former President Arif Alvi and then-Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri for wrongfully dissolving the National Assembly in April 2022 during Khan's final days in power.
