Pakistan calls in military as protests mount over Imran Khan arrest

Pakistan’s political crisis threatened to spiral out of control Wednesday, a day after the arrest of opposition leader and former prime minister Imran Khan, as officials reported several deaths, police said the army was moving into the capital city of Islamabad, and at least three provinces also requested military support against protesters. Khan, who appeared Wednesday before a judge in Islamabad over corruption charges, will be held for at least eight days, authorities said, quashing hopes among his supporters for a quick release and raising the likelihood of more clashes.
Hundreds of Khan supporters had been arrested by Wednesday evening, when Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused them in a televised address of having committed “unforgivable crimes.” Among those taken into custody were several key members of Khan’s political party.