Government dismisses rumors of emergency in Pakistan as ‘baseless’

Army troops stand guard in the "red zone" after the arrest of Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan triggered violent protests by his supporters, in Islamabad on May 11, 2023. (AFP)

• Pakistan witnessed political turmoil and violent protests following the arrest of ex-PM Khan this week
• Marriyum Aurangzeb urges media organizations to refrain from carrying news reports without verification

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb dismissed rumors related to the imposition of emergency in the country on Friday, reported the state media, as people speculated the government could take the decision following the release of ex-premier Imran Khan who was arrested earlier this week on corruption charges.
The country’s top court on Thursday declared Khan’s arrest from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) illegal before he managed to secure a two-week bail from the judiciary that ordered the authorities not to arrest him in any other case until May 17.
“Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb has termed media reports regarding the imposition of emergency in the country as baseless,” Radio Pakistan reported. “She said no decision regarding the imposition of emergency was taken in today’s cabinet meeting.”
Pakistan’s federal cabinet reviewed the country’s overall political situation on Friday, condemning the Supreme Court’s decision to give relief to the former prime minister who was facing serious corruption allegations.
It also pointed out that Khan’s followers had indulged in violent protests, clashes with law enforcement personnel and set fire to government buildings and public property.
The information minister also urged media organizations to refrain from carrying news stories without verification.