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Pakistan Arrests Imran Khan After Escape

Cricketer-turned-MP detained after he flees house arrest

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 14, 2007 5:57 AM CST

(Newser) – Pakistani police today arrested Imran Khan, the former cricket star turned opposition politician, Bloomberg reports. Khan was initially detained in his house in Lahore, but he escaped to rally students against Pervez Musharraf, whom he calls "the dictator." Khan's arrest comes as a blow to attempts by Benazir Bhutto, who's still under house arrest, to unify opposition to Musharraf as the emergency enters its 11th day.

As the Pakistani government continues to dismiss international criticism—a recent Foreign Ministry communiqué defended it as a bulwark against "institutional breakdown"—the US is dispatching former UN ambassador John Negroponte to urge an end to emergency rule. Most opposition parties, including Bhutto's, seem unlikely to contest elections in January if the emergency continues.

Imran Khan was arrested today after escaping house arrest.
Imran Khan was arrested today after escaping house arrest.   (Associated Press)
Jemima Khan, center right, ex-wife of Pakistan's opposition politician and cricketer Imran Khan, and Hina Jilani, center left, human rights lawyer and activist, take part in a protest rally against the emergency rule imposed by Pakistan's President Musharraf, backdropped by pictures of Imran Khan near Downing Street, central London, Saturday,...
Jemima Khan, center right, ex-wife of Pakistan's opposition politician and cricketer Imran Khan, and Hina Jilani, center left, human rights lawyer and activist, take part in a protest rally against the...   (Associated Press)
Imran Khan was arrested today after escaping house arrest.
Imran Khan was arrested today after escaping house arrest.   (Associated Press)
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