Pakistan: Hundreds of supporters of Imran Khan’s party were arrested in the north of the country

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Pakistani authorities arrested hundreds of members of the party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, after declaring a state of emergency in a state in the north of the country, police officials told AFP on Monday.

Two police officials, who requested anonymity, said that 278 members of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have been arrested in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since the state of emergency was declared on Sunday.

A state of emergency was imposed in the state ruled by Khan's party, following days of anti-government protests demanding his release and in light of the escalation of militant violence in the region, especially along the border with Afghanistan.

Thousands participated in marches in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to express their support for Khan and their dissatisfaction with the economic conditions.

The widely popular former cricket star's party announced on Sunday the arrest of the state's prime minister, Sohail Afridi, hours after the Pakistani presidency announced the imposition of exceptional constitutional measures.

An administrative official told AFP, requesting anonymity, that Afridi was placed under "protective custody" at his official residence, before being later transferred to another location.

The official refused to reveal Afridi's new place of detention.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a stronghold of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, led by Khan. However, the government announced that the MLA-led administration in the state is “inactive” until the security situation improves.

Islamabad said that the imposition of a state of emergency came in the wake of the failure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to confront the militants.

The movement strongly opposed the constitutional procedures, describing them as undemocratic, noting that they constitute an attempt by the federal government to seize power.

Khan, 73 years old, has been behind bars since 2023 and faces charges of corruption, treason, and incitement to violence following the protests that broke out against the government in May 2023 and the riots that followed. Khan and his legal team reject these accusations and describe them as politically motivated cases.