Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) political party, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan challenging the “undeclared martial law” in the country allegedly imposed by the government.
In the petition, Khan stated that the government had imposed an undeclared and illegal martial law in the country in the name of a lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus. He alleged that the government had deployed soldiers and Rangers in different parts of the country to ensure compliance of the stringent restrictions by people.
Khan further alleged that the government had used the police to threaten and intimidate dissenting voices and had also tried to silence the media. He argued that the government’s actions were in gross violation of Articles 4, 9, 10 and 15 of the Constitution.
The government, however, has denied the allegations and has asserted that the lockdown was imposed in accordance with the country’s laws. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court for hearing.