Karachi: Violent protests erupted in Pakistan following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan, leaving at least eight people dead and 290 injured. The protests resulted in the arrest of almost 1,900 demonstrators and the destruction of several government buildings, including police stations. The unrest began after an accountability court in Islamabad granted the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) custody of Khan for eight days in connection with the Al Qadir Trust case.

The Pakistani military was deployed in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad to manage the deteriorating situation. The deployment followed an attack on the corps commander's Lahore home and the tearing down of a gate at GHQ in Rawalpindi by protesters.

On Thursday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi was arrested by Islamabad police and taken to an unknown location. Qureshi was taken into custody from the Gilgit-Baltistan House in Islamabad following a failed police attempt on Wednesday afternoon.

Before his arrest, Qureshi urged PTI workers to continue their struggle for true freedom in the country. He is wanted by the police in cases of riots and arsons in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

On Tuesday, Khan was arrested in a graft case and presented before the accountability court at the Police Lines Headquarters. The NAB will investigate the former prime minister at the Police Lines.

The situation remains tense in Pakistan, with political leaders urging calm and restraint. The government has called for an end to the protests and warned of strict action against those involved in violence. The country has a long history of political instability and violence, and the latest unrest is a reminder of the ongoing challenges facing Pakistan.