Pakistan: Imran Khan calls for immediate talks amidst standoff with military

Pressure mounts on the former PM after 33 of his supporters handed over to the army to face trial in military courts

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday appealed for immediate talks with state officials, as pressure increased on him amidst a crackdown on his top aides and supporters that has seen thousands arrested as well as many leaving his party.

Khan has been embroiled in a tussle with the military since he was removed from power last year in a parliamentary vote that he says was orchestrated by the country’s top generals. The military denies this.

The stand-off intensified when earlier this month Khan’s supporters were involved in violent protests following his brief arrest.

“I would like to appeal for talks, because what is currently happening is not a solution,” Khan said in a live talk streamed on YouTube, warning that the country was headed towards anarchy.