- Tuesday, April 23, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
Pakistan’s former chief minister Imran Khan was on Tuesday (9) arrested by Pakistan Rangers personnel from outside the high court in the national capital of Islamabad where he had gone for two hearings.
The 70-year-old supremo of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
عمران خان کا غیر آئینی، جبری ریاستی اغوا نظامِ انصاف کے لئے ہی نہیں، پورے پاکستان کے لئے امتحان ہے۔ 75 سال سے ملک کے ساتھ جو مذاق ہورہا ہے، آج ملک کو تباہی گڑھے کی طرف دھکیل دیا گیا۔ pic.twitter.com/j5ZVkfAvDq
— Babar Awan (@BabarAwanPK) May 9, 2023
This picture will be historic as we will see Imran Khan winning very soon. The people of Pakistan must come out today to defend their country. #ReleaseImranKhan pic.twitter.com/EkBjePpJ8L
— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 9, 2023
Islamabad Police later released a statement in which it quoted inspector general Akbar Nasir as saying that the former prime minister was arrested in relation to the case that alleged that he and his wife had received millions of Pakistani rupees from a real-estate firm for legalising a massive laundered amount that was returned to Pakistan by the UK during the previous government led by the PTI, Dawn reported.
A video was doing the rounds on social media showing many paramilitary personnel surrounding Khan and whisking him away towards an armoured vehicle. Khan’s PTI also shared the video and alleged that the leader was “badly pushed”.
Meanwhile, PTI leaders and supporters took to protests against Khan’s arrest across Pakistan and law-keepers resorted to firing water cannons and tear gas to quell the protests. In Karachi in southern Pakistan, police used teargas to disperse protesters, reports said.
PTI secretary general Asad Umar said on Twitter that “Pakistan’s biggest political leader” was arrested after an ‘attack’ at the Islamabad high court.
“The whole world is being shown that there is no law left in the country,” he said.
He also said that a six-member committee, which was formed by Khan, would unveil a plan of action soon.
Umar added that a six-member committee headed by Shah Mehmood Qureshi, which was formed by Imran Khan, would announce a plan of action.
The PTI vice-chairperson said Imran’s arrest was “rejected” (na manzoor) and instructed the entire nation to take to the streets “immediately”.
In a video message, PTI leader Hammad Azhar said that there were “reports of torture” during the arrest. He added that the former prime minister of Pakistan was the country’s and the Muslim world’s only “honest leader” who had “committed no crime”.
“He did not steal any money from the people. He did not run away to another country”.
