Democracy hangs by a thread, says Imran Khan after release

Shah Meer Baloch, Hannah Ellis-Petersen 

- Shah Meer Baloch, Hannah Ellis-Petersen

The crowds gathered peacefully, jostling outside the home of the man they call the “saviour of Pakistan”, hoping for a glimpse. Two days earlier, these same streets in the city of Lahore had resembled a war zone as tens of thousands of protesters violently took to the streets, ransacking buildings, burning cars, throwing petrol bombs and clashing with police, with several dying from gunshot wounds.

By Saturday, however, there was calm. Late last Friday, Imran Khan had finally returned to his home, after he had been arrested on Islamabad high court premises by 100 paramilitary officers. He was detained for two days but, to the surprise of many observers, was granted bail and allowed to walk free after his arrest was declared illegal by Pakistan’s supreme court. With Khan released, the violence eased.

The devotion towards the 70-year-old former prime minister was evident in the hundreds gathered at his gate. “Khan is the only leader for Pakistan,” said Shaf Ali, 23, an IT worker. “ He is the only hope in Pakistan and he is fighting for us.” Aftab Ahmed, 18, called herself “Khan’s soldier” before adding: “They have to kill us before arresting him again.”