Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has requested to appear for court proceedings virtually to protect his life, following clashes between his supporters and police in Lahore and Islamabad. Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is preparing for a rally in Lahore, and the former prime minister has asked the chief justice to allow him to appear by video conference for all cases.
Several legal cases, including one that led to a failed attempt to arrest him last week, have been filed against Khan, who has been demanding a snap election and holding protests to press his case. Shehbaz Sharif, Khan’s successor as prime minister, has rejected his demand, and tensions between the government, military, and Khan’s party continue to escalate. Police have arrested dozens of PTI supporters and aides in Lahore and Islamabad, and Khan alleges that the government and military are attempting to prevent him from running in the upcoming election in November