Pakistan bans ousted PM Imran Khan's rally, cracks down on supporters

Imran Khan served as Prime Minister for over three and half years until he was ousted by a no-confidence vote in parliament in April.

Pakistan on May 24 banned ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a massive, planned rally in the capital of Islamabad and cracked down on his supporters in overnight raids across the country, arresting hundreds.

The ban came hours after a policeman was killed during one of the raids, when a supporter of the former premier opened fire after officers entered his home in the city of Lahore.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah warned Mr. Khan that he would “not be allowed to disrupt peace in Islamabad" and would be arrested if needed, should the rally go ahead. Mr. Sanaullah earlier in the day accused Mr. Khan of seeking to create a civil war-like situation.

The former cricket star turned Islamist politician, Mr. Khan served as Prime Minister for over three and half years until he was ousted by a no-confidence vote in parliament in April.

Mr. Khan has remained defiant, demanding early elections and claiming his removal was the result of a U.S.-organized plot in collusion with his successor, Pakistan's new Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Washington denies any role in Pakistan’s internal politics.

Earlier this week, Mr. Khan urged supporters to converge on Islamabad on May 23 for a massive rally to pressure Mr. Sharif's government. The demonstration, Mr. Khan said, would continue until a date for snap elections was announced.

Mr. Sanaullah, the Interior Minister, said the decision to ban the rally was taken after Mr. Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf party failed to assure the administration in writing that the rally would be peaceful.