Pakistan detains Imran Khan ally in stronghold province

The government of Pakistan has detained an aide to former Prime Minister Imran Khan and several cabinet members, following the suspension of the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a statement released on Monday. President Asif Ali Zardari declared a state of emergency in the region on Sunday, citing the administration's inability to address Islamist militancy.

Azam Nazeer Tarar, Minister of Law and Justice, announced that a governor would assume control of the province. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party dismissed the move, alleging it aimed to prevent supporters from marching on Islamabad to demand Khan's release. The detentions occurred on Sunday at the chief minister's residence in Peshawar, the provincial capital, where police and paramilitary forces sealed off the area, witnesses and officials reported.

Khan's three sisters and hundreds of supporters were also arrested ahead of the planned demonstration. Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, a supporter of Khan, and several cabinet members were taken into custody, according to the government. "I can confirm that the Chief Minister and some of his cabinet members have been taken into preventive custody," stated Junior Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry.

The implementation of emergency rule and the suspension of the provincial government have heightened tensions between Khan, a former cricket star, and Pakistan's influential military. The move came a week after Khan's supporters staged daily rallies in the province, preparing to march to Islamabad to demand his release and access to medical treatment.

Chaudhry revealed that those facing charges would be prosecuted, while the others would be released. Khan's aide, Shaukat Yousafzai, called for the release of all those held. PTI's last major protest two years ago resulted in violent clashes with security forces. Khan's arrest in 2023 also triggered nationwide riots, during which some supporters attacked military facilities.

Pakistan's constitution permits the government to assume control of a provincial administration during an emergency. Since the party called for the march last month, Khan's government and the PTI have engaged in several rounds of negotiations. The government expressed willingness to accept all the PTI's demands, including the party's public condemnation of militancy and support in the fight against militant groups. However, the PTI rejected these proposals, leading to the collapse of talks, according to Chaudhry.