Imran Khan Faces New Legal Challenges Amid Protests

Three new cases have been registered against former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan by Punjab police after his supporters clashed with law enforcement during a protest in Rawalpindi. Khan and other party leaders face charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act and additional criminal allegations.

Punjab police have registered three new cases against Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan following a protest called by his party in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh area on Saturday.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder, along with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and party chairman Barrister Gohar Khan, was booked on Sunday under the Anti-Terrorism Act, according to The Express Tribune newspaper.

Charges include attempted murder, violations of Section 144, and other terrorism-related offences. The complaints, filed by the New Town and Civil Lines police stations in Rawalpindi, accuse the 71-year-old leader of inciting his supporters to protest against national institutions while issuing directives from Adiala Jail, where he has been held for over a year.

The Punjab government has also accused Khan and his supporters of criticising national institutions, engaging in vandalism, and inciting violence, including stone-pelting.

Supporters of Khan allegedly clashed with police during Saturday's protest, with hundreds of PTI supporters attempting to reach the historic Liaquat Bagh park in the city. Police erected barricades and blocked all major roads, but videos shared by PTI show protesters attacking police with stones and bricks, forcing law enforcement personnel to retreat.

Khan had previously called for a ''peaceful protest'', prompting the provincial government to ban public gatherings and close all major roads leading to the city.

After the clashes, the party called off the protest to avoid further losses. Notably, the General Headquarters of the army is located in Rawalpindi, just a few kilometers away from the protest site.

Khan was arrested on August 5 last year after his conviction in the first Toshakhana corruption case filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. He remains in jail facing multiple charges.

(With inputs from agencies.)