Pakistan Prime Minister Demands Arrest of Rioting Protesters

Mr Sharif said the cases would be tried by anti-terrorism courts. “All available resources, including technological support and intelligence, are being deployed to hunt down these elements,” he added.

Pakistan prime minister calls for arrest of protesters photo 1 — Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Photo: Reuters

Mr Khan has been granted bail by a court. His arrest in a land scam on Tuesday sparked violent protests across the country. The Supreme Court also weighed in, calling the arrest “unreasonable and illegal”.

Protesters stormed military facilities, set fire to the state television building, smashed buses, ransacked the home of a top military official and attacked other properties, leading to troops being deployed in several cities to restore order.

According to police, more than 2,800 arrests were made, with 152 police officers injured, 74 police vehicles vandalized and set on fire, and 22 government buildings damaged. At least eight people were killed in the violence.

Following Mr Sharif's announcement, the Punjab provincial government released images of unidentified protesters involved in an attack on the residence of an army official on Wednesday.

Mr Khan, 70, was ousted as prime minister in a no-confidence vote in parliament in April 2022. He was a former cricketer and Pakistan's most popular leader according to opinion polls.

Trung Kien (according to Reuters)

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