Former Pakistani Prime Minister claims an assassination plot

Imran Khan, former Pakistani prime minister, has claimed that the "real intent" of police is to "abduct and assassinate" him after security forces attempted to detain him on Wednesday. Khan, 70, made the claim on social media amid clashes between police and his supporters outside his residence, which prompted authorities to deploy water cannons and tear gas. The Lahore High Court ordered authorities to suspend the operation until 10am local time on Thursday. Khan is wanted by authorities for alleged corruption related to the sale of state gifts received while in office, as well as for comments made about a female judge. He has maintained that the plot to arrest him is not because he broke any law, but rather to ensure he cannot contest elections.

The dispute at the summit of the political ecosystem in Islamabad comes amid the country's severe economic downturn, which is forecasted to result in financial default if aid cannot be secured from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). There have also been a number of attacks at police stations which have been blamed on the Pakistani Taliban.