ISLAMABAD — Police within the Pakistani capital filed expenses Sunday in opposition to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, 17 of his aides and scores of supporters, accusing them of terrorism and several other different offenses after the ousted premier’s followers clashed with safety forces in Islamabad the day prior to this.

For hours on Saturday, Khan’s followers clashed with police outdoors a courtroom the place the previous prime minister was to look in a graft case. Riot police wielded batons and fired tear fuel whereas Khan’s supporters threw hearth bombs and hurled rocks on the officers.

Greater than 50 officers had been injured and a police checkpoint, a number of automobiles and bikes had been torched. Police stated 59 of Khan’s supporters had been arrested through the violence.

Khan by no means truly appeared contained in the courtroom to face expenses that he had bought state items acquired whereas in workplace and hid belongings.

Moreover Khan, the case filed Sunday additionally accuses former and present lawmakers, former ministers, a former Nationwide Meeting speaker and scores of Khan’s supporters. The costs embody terrorism, obstructing cops in finishing up their duties, assaults on police, wounding officers and threatening their lives.

The developments are the most recent involving growing violence surrounding the 70-year-old Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament final April. Since then, the previous cricket star turned Islamist politician has claimed — with out providing proof — that his ouster was unlawful and a conspiracy by the federal government of his successor, Shahbaz Sharif, and Washington. Each Sharif and america have denied the allegations.

Additionally on Saturday, violence erupted once more outdoors Khan’s residence within the japanese metropolis of Lahore, the place officers and Khan’s supporters had clashed for 2 straight days in a standoff earlier final week, after police arrived within the upscale neighborhood to arrest Khan.

Amid tear fuel and clashes, police stormed Khan’s residence, and later stated they arrested 61 suspects and seized petrol bombs, weapons and ammunition. Khan was not at residence, having traveled to Islamabad for the courtroom look. After he failed to look in courtroom, the decide postponed that listening to till March 30.

In a recorded video message broadcast Sunday, Khan blamed police for his failure to look in courtroom on Saturday, saying he by no means left his car because the police had been lobbing tear fuel at his convoy and supporters.

With out providing something to again his declare, Khan stated his opponents are bent on both placing him in jail or killing him, and denounced the raid on his residence in Lahore as “shameful techniques, conspiracies and plans.”

Inside Minister Rana Sanaullah accused Khan of “creating all of the drama simply to keep away from” the courts.