Police officers patrol across the residence of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday. Pakistani police stored up their siege across the house of Khan as a 24-hour deadline given to the previous premier at hand over suspects allegedly sheltered inside was about to run out on Thursday.

Okay.M. Chaudary/AP

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Okay.M. Chaudary/AP

Police officers patrol across the residence of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in Lahore, Pakistan, Thursday. Pakistani police stored up their siege across the house of Khan as a 24-hour deadline given to the previous premier at hand over suspects allegedly sheltered inside was about to run out on Thursday.

Okay.M. Chaudary/AP

ISLAMABAD — Pakistani safety forces surrounded the house of the previous Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore on Thursday, in an additional escalation of a political disaster that has gripped the nation for over a 12 months.

The safety forces’ motion got here after Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir demanded Khan hand over dozens of “terrorists” he alleged Khan was harboring — protesters authorities consider are amongst those that smashed up and set fireplace to military installations final week. Their actions had been a part of an unprecedented present of anger after paramilitary forces detained Khan final Tuesday from a courthouse. He was launched final Thursday, after the Supreme Court dominated his detention was unlawful.

The authorities introduced a 24-hour deadline for Khan at hand over the wished people, which expired on Thursday at 2 p.m. Pakistan time (5 a.m. ET). As that deadline handed, Khan invited journalists to his sweeping compound to movie no matter would occur.

Speaking with NPR by way of Zoom, he stated he believed these forces supposed to arrest him, and even kill him, a declare he has made repeatedly in latest days. But he stated he wouldn’t go into exile. “This is where I will live and die. I will be here till my last breath. There’s no question of me leaving my country.”

Pakistan has been in disaster since April final 12 months, when the navy signaled it now not supported Khan’s authorities and he misplaced a no-confidence vote in Parliament. The navy is Pakistan’s strongest establishment, and it was broadly seen as propelling Khan to energy.

Since then, Khan has fought again with road protests, court docket challenges and by speaking with supporters on social media. He calls for early elections, which analysts say he would seemingly win.

But Khan is embroiled in dozens of felony instances, together with critical corruption allegations. If he’s discovered responsible, he’ll seemingly be disqualified from operating for workplace once more. Khan advised NPR he believed that was the purpose. He repeated a declare he has steadily made that Pakistan’s military chief, Gen. Asim Munir, and the federal government coalition are attempting to get rid of him politically. “He along with this 12-party coalition have decided that whatever happens, Imran Khan can’t win the elections,” he stated.

In response, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif advised NPR that Khan’s “commitment to [the] state, his commitment to Pakistan … is dependent upon his being in the government.”

Referring to Khan’s supporters who attacked navy compounds final week, Asif stated, “They have attacked the state of Pakistan. This is not political agitation or political protest. It is a protest against the state.” He continued: “Army installations, army headquarters and air bases are attacked by Indians, by our enemies across the border. They have never been attacked by Pakistanis [before].”

The Pakistani military stated earlier this week that some protesters can be tried in secret navy courts, a prospect that has raised human rights issues and led to condemnation by some parliamentarians.

Security forces have additionally intensified a crackdown in opposition to Khan’s supporters and senior advisers. Some, after being launched on bail, stepped out of the courthouses and had been arrested once more. “It’s a total banana republic right now,” Khan advised NPR. “We are headed for out-and-out martial law.”

The protection minister insisted that Khan’s supporters and advisers had been being handled pretty. He stated he didn’t favor negotiations with Khan to finish the disaster.

Pakistan’s navy spokesman has to this point not spoken on to media.

One outstanding analyst lays blame for the nation’s present disaster on the military, for interfering within the nation’s’ political system.

“This is entirely the responsibility of the military,” says Mosharraf Zaidi, a columnist who heads a suppose tank, Tabadlab. Ticking off an extended listing of instances the navy intervened to spice up politicians’ fortunes, solely to persecute them later, he stated, “This is something that the military is going to have to seriously consider what it’s doing.”