By The South Asia Times 

ISLAMABAD: – International human rights groups have expressed concern over the alleged torture of an opposition politician, the detention of a journalist, and the Pakistani government's formal charges against former Prime Minister Imran Khan under anti-terrorism laws.

The International Human Rights Foundation, based in New York, on Monday announced the formation of a working group to investigate allegations of torture and abuse against Shahbaz Gill, a close associate of Khan and the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).

"We have received credible reports of abuses of authority in Pakistan. We are setting up a working group on this issue. We are currently gathering accurate information about what happened," the group tweeted.

It also called the registration of a case against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act a violation of "human rights."

"We see how several countries pass unjust laws, drafted to treat as terrorists innocent people who maintain legitimate disagreements to the government's interests,” it stated, adding that this is a clear violation of human rights.

According to Islamabad police, Khan was charged with "terrorizing and threatening" police officials and a woman judge at a rally in Islamabad on Saturday.

The cricketer-turned-politician had said he would sue officials for allegedly torturing Gill in police custody.

Gill is charged with sedition for allegedly inciting mutiny within Pakistan's powerful military.

On Monday, the Islamabad High Court granted Khan pre-arrest bail until Aug. 25 and ordered him to appear before the anti-terrorism court.

Earlier, hundreds of Khan’s supporters reached his residence Islamabad to show solidarity and prevent his possible arrest.

Political tensions deepened on Sunday night when Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the government was mulling over arresting the former premier.

Khan has staged a series of popular anti-government protests since being ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in April.

The country's media regulatory watchdog has also banned live broadcasts of Khan's speeches on national television.

Separately, Pakistani authorities on Monday arrested Jameel Farooqi, a journalist and TV anchor, on grounds of "falsely accusing" the law enforcement agency of physically and sexually harassing Gill.

- UN chief urges calm

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also urged Pakistan's government to maintain calm, lower tensions, and respect the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.

"The Secretary‑General is aware of the charges brought against the former Prime Minister Imran Khan, and he emphasizes the need for a competent, independent and impartial legal process," Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, told reporters.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International also voiced concern over the allegations of torture made by Gill's lawyer and called for an immediate, effective, and impartial investigation into his claim.

On Monday, Islamabad High Court ordered the government to appoint a retired High Court judge to investigate the torture allegations against Gill.

The court order came after the police chief submitted an inquiry report, in which he rejected Gill’s allegations.