Pakistan arrests aide of former premier

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s police on Thursday arrested a top official in former premier Imran Khan’s political party as authorities move to rein in the outspoken politician’s supporters and allies.

Pervez Elahi, who is the president of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was arrested in a raid in the eastern city of Lahore. Khan is head of the party, as chairman. Khan and his party quickly denounced the arrest. Amir Mir, who is information minister for the Punjab province, said Elahi was nabbed in a corruption case.

The latest development comes a day after former British Cabinet ministers, senior law officers, renowned journalists and legal rights organizations issued an appeal for the release of Murad Akbar, the brother of attorney Shahzad Akbar, a rights lawyer linked with Khan.