“Listen Director Inspector General (of police), we will not let you go, we will file a case against you. And lady judge you should also get ready, we will take action against you,” Khan told hundreds of supporters during a rally held in support of his former chief of staff, Shahbaz Gill, who was arrested earlier this month on sedition charges after urging soldiers to disobey orders from military leaders. Khan has alleged that police tortured Gill while in custody, allegations that have gained widespread traction among the former prime minister’s supporters. Islamabad police denied Khan’s claims, telling CNN on Saturday that Gill had not been tortured. On Sunday, Islamabad police tweeted a video of Khan’s speech, saying: “Anyone making threats or accusations will be dealt with according to the law.” Khan has not been arrested and has not commented publicly on the investigation. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party said the investigation was based on “frivolous allegations with no legal basis”. Khan’s team on Monday filed a pre-arrest bail application in the Islamabad High Court, PTI media coordinator Rauf Hassan told CNN.
“Now, if they have to arrest him, the pre-arrest bail should be denied. This will now become a legal battle,” Hassan said. Hundreds of Khan’s supporters gathered outside his home on Saturday night after reports of the police investigation, vowing to “occupy” the capital if he is detained. “Imran Khan is our red line,” senior PTI politician and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Saturday. “Every child and adult of Pakistan will answer Khan’s call and (prime minister) Shahbaz Sharif will be responsible for the consequences.”

Ban on live broadcast

As tensions rise, the Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Authority (PERA) issued an order late Saturday barring Khan’s speeches from being televised live, citing “hate speech.” Khan was “leveling baseless allegations and spreading hate speech through his provocative statements against state institutions,” a statement from PERA said, adding that the comments “are likely to disturb public peace and tranquility.” Channels can broadcast his recorded speeches, according to the order. In a Twitter post on Monday, Khan accused the government of temporarily blocking YouTube during his speech on Saturday. “This is not only a flagrant violation of free speech, but negatively impacts the digital media industry and the livelihoods of many,” he said. CNN has reached out to YouTube and the Pakistani government for comment. Tensions between Khan and Sharif’s government have simmered since the cricketer-turned-populist leader was dramatically ousted in a parliamentary no-confidence vote on April 10. Khan has alleged a US-led conspiracy against him, accusing Sharif and the Pakistani military of working with Washington to topple his government. The US, Sharif and the Pakistani military have all denied the allegations. But Khan’s claims struck a chord with the young population in a country where anti-American sentiment is common and anger at the establishment is fueled by a growing cost-of-living crisis. Khan’s enduring popularity has translated into recent victories for his party in provincial elections, and he has repeatedly called for a new parliamentary vote at mass rallies held since his ouster.