Pakistan

PAKISTANI police yesterday fired teargas at stone-throwing supporters of opposition leader Imran Khan who defied a ban on public gatherings, adding to political deadlock ahead of his plans to shut down the capital next week.

There was no immediate report of injuries but TV stations carried footage of police charging with batons, as plumes of teargas billowed in the air.

Police surrounded the home of former cricket hero Khan, who called for nationwide protests after dozens of activists from his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party were arrested a day earlier.

Khan had vowed to join yesterday’s planned rally.