On Sunday, Imran Khan accused the government of temporarily blocking YouTube in Pakistan to prevent people from listening live to a speech he gave at a political rally.
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has been charged under anti-terror laws following accusations of threatening police officials and a judicial magistrate.
It comes after he allegedly made threats against Islamabad’s police chief and a female judge in a speech he gave on Saturday over the arrest and alleged torture of a close aide who is facing sedition charges.
Mr Khan’s nephew tweeted on Sunday: “Arrest attempt might take place between 4am to 6am.
“I request lawyers to call for country wide strike. Whole country will close. Leader Imran Khan is red line.”
Senior members of Mr Khan’s political party Tehreek-e-Insaf, now in opposition, posted footage on social media showing crowds of supporters outside Mr Khan’s house. Hundreds remained there early on Monday.
His lawyer Bawar Awan filed a request to Islamabad’s High Court seeking protective bail for Mr Khan, which would protect him from being arrested.
Under Pakistan’s legal system, police file what is known as a first information report about charges against an accused person to a magistrate, who allows the investigation to move forward. Typically, police then arrest and question the accused.
Earlier, the politician accused the government of temporarily blocking YouTube in the country to prevent people from listening live to a speech he gave at a political rally.
Pakistan’s electronic media regulator announced a ban on the live airing of Mr Khan’s speeches because of what it called his “hate speech” against state institutions.
“Mr Imran Khan… in his speeches/statements is continuously… levelling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions,” the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) said in its statement on Saturday.
PEMRA said it was, with immediate effect, banning news channels from broadcasting his speeches live, but said recorded speeches could be aired.
Mr Khan’s speeches were “prejudicial to the maintenance of law and order and likely to disturb public peace and tranquility”, PEMRA added.
Mr Khan – who has been pushing for new elections in Pakistan after being ousted from power in April – has been delivering fiery speeches at gatherings across the country.
-Sky News