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Imran Khan Calls for Rally, Threatens Civil Disobedience Over Supporters’ Detention and Protest Deaths

Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan speaks with reporters regarding the current political situation and the ongoing cases against him at his residence, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023. Khan has been slapped with more than 150 legal cases, including several on charges of corruption, "terrorism" and inciting people to violence over deadly protests in May that saw his followers attack government and military property across the country. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Pakistan’s imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan has called on his supporters to hold a rally in Peshawar on December 13, threatening to launch a civil disobedience movement the following day if his demands are not met.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Khan demanded the release of detained political workers and a judicial inquiry into the deaths of 12 supporters during a protest march in Islamabad on November 25. He also called for accountability over the violence on May 9, 2022, which he claims led to the deaths of eight people.

“If these two demands are not met, a civil disobedience movement will start from December 14, and the government will be held responsible for any consequences,” Khan warned.

The Pakistani government has denied any fatalities occurred during the November 25 protest and has accused Khan’s supporters of attacking military installations during the May 9 incidents last year.

Khan, 72, was indicted on Thursday on charges of orchestrating the May 9 violence. The former cricket star pleaded not guilty, labeling the charges as part of a politically motivated campaign against him.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has consistently argued that the cases against him are intended to marginalize him politically. They allege a conspiracy by the military, which Khan claims orchestrated his removal from office in 2022 following a fallout with army generals.

The military has categorically denied these accusations.

Khan’s call for action raises tensions in an already volatile political environment. With mounting legal cases against him and a significant following still loyal to his leadership, the rally in Peshawar and his threat of civil disobedience could mark a critical juncture in Pakistan’s political landscape.

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