Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested on Tuesday as he entered the Islamabad High Court for a hearing. He had been facing dozens of cases since being ousted from office last year. The 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician was taken into custody by paramilitary forces from the court premises. Leaders from his party, Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), have alleged that the police entered the court, smashed the glass window of the room where his biometric data was being taken, and dragged him outside.
The arrest happened a day after the country’s army accused Khan of making baseless allegations against a senior officer of the spy agency ISI. Imran Khan was arrested in the Qadir Trust case, which alleges that Bahria Town allotted land worth millions to Al-Qadir Trust, owned by the PTI chairman Khan and his wife. Islamabad Police tweeted in Urdu, adding that the situation is “normal.” However, many are questioning if the arrest was based on the merits of the case alone.
“Section 144 is in force, and action will be taken in case of violation,” warned Islamabad police as PTI called for supporters to take to the streets in protest. Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah tweeted that Imran Khan had failed to appear before the court despite being issued several notices. “The arrest has been conducted by the National Accountability Bureau for causing losses to the national treasury. No violence was done to him,” he tweeted in Urdu.
In conclusion, Imran Khan was arrested as he entered a court hearing, and leaders from his party have alleged that the police acted dramatically in taking him into custody. The arrest comes after the country’s army accused Khan of making baseless allegations. He was arrested in a case that alleges Bahria Town allotted land worth millions to Al-Qadir Trust, owned by Khan and his wife. Many are questioning if the arrest was based on the merits of the case alone, and supporters have been called to protest. Pakistan’s Interior Minister stated that Khan had failed to appear in court despite receiving several notices, and that the arrest was conducted by the National Accountability Bureau.
