No sign of mass Pakistan protests after ex-PM's jailing

His imprisonment has raised fresh concerns of violence ahead of an election due later this year

ATTOCK (AFP) – Former Pakistan prime minister’s three-year sentence for graft prompted scattered rallies around the country, but there was no sign of any mass uprising on Sunday despite his call for supporters to protest.

His imprisonment has raised fresh concerns of violence ahead of an election due later this year – that he is now disqualified from contesting – and has cast doubt on the fairness of any vote that excludes him.

His lawyers complained on Sunday they were being denied access to him for consultations so they can mount urgent legal challenges against his conviction.

They also raised concern for his confinement at Attock Jail, established 100 years ago on the outskirts of historical Attock city, around 60 kilometres (40 miles) west of the capital, Islamabad.

"He is a 70-year-old man and a former elected prime minister so legally he should be given a better class (of conditions) inside the jail," said Gohar Khan, a member of his legal team.

At a court hearing not attended by the ex-premier on Saturday, a judge found him guilty of graft in relation to gifts he received while prime minister and sentenced him to three years in jail.

Anyone convicted of a criminal offence is disqualified from contesting elections in Pakistan, and parliament is likely to be dissolved in the next two weeks, just before it completes its term.

A general election is due to be held by mid-November, but there is speculation the polls could be delayed following the release on Saturday of the country's latest census results, which necessitates the redrawing of constituencies under Pakistani law.

His arrest and detention for three days in connection with the same case in May, sparked deadly violence when his supporters took to the streets in the tens of thousands, clashing with police.

In the aftermath of his release, PTI has been targeted by a crackdown with thousands of arrests, reports of intimidation and muzzling of the press.

He was prime minister until April last year, when he was ousted in a vote of no-confidence he says was engineered by the country's powerful military.

'Don't sit silently'

Soon after police picked him up from his home in Lahore on Saturday, a pre-recorded video was released on his social media accounts calling for his supporters to protest in force.

"I have just one request and appeal, that you are not to sit silently at home," he said.

"This is a war for justice, for your rights, for your freedom... chains don't just fall off, they have to be broken. You must continue peaceful protest until you get your rights."

But party officials said on Sunday there were no plans for a nationwide call to protest.

Police were deployed in major centres across the country after his arrest, and moved quickly to disperse gatherings of PTI supporters.

Political turmoil

His jailing will do little to calm the economic and political unrest that has roiled the nation for the past 18 months.

"Everyone will ask questions about the credibility of elections in the absence of the party and PTI chief and questions will be raised about the credibility of elections in the outside world as well," political analyst Hasan Askari told AFP.

He rose to power in 2018 on a wave of popular support, an anti-corruption manifesto, and the backing of the powerful military establishment.

When he was ousted in April last year, analysts said it was because he lost the support of the top generals.

He has faced a slew of court cases on charges he says are politically motivated since being ousted.

The case that has led to his imprisonment centres on gifts he and his wife received while in office.

Pakistan newspapers have for months carried lurid stories alleging the PTI chief and his wife received lavish presents worth millions during trips abroad – including luxury watches, jewellery, designer handbags and perfumes.

Government officials must declare all gifts, but are allowed to keep those below a certain value or buy them at an officially agreed price.