Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday pressed his legal battle before a court in the capital, Islamabad, which granted him protection from arrest until early next month in several cases including terrorism charges for inciting violence.

The development comes as authorities have been cracking down on the supporters of Khan, now Pakistan’s top opposition leader. Thousands staged violent protests and attacked public property and military installations following Khan’s arrest earlier this month.

Another sign of a possible consumer downturn is unfolding in India, recognized as the world's top polishing gem hub. The country is bracing for a challenging year as diamond demand from key markets in North America and Asia is expected to soften. 

Pakistani officials warned on 18 May that Islamabad faces paying an $18 billion fine if it fails to complete the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project.

The project, which offers to supply Pakistan with 750 million cubic feet of natural gas, has been fraught with difficulties, among them being Pakistan’s failure to build its infrastructure section due to US sanctions on Tehran.

Police surrounded the home of former Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday, claiming he was sheltering dozens of people allegedly involved in violent protests over his recent detention.