Courtesy: Dawn News
IHC CJ asks Islamabad police chief, others to appear before the court within 15 minutes; Fawad says ex-premier has been whisked away by unknown people to an unknown location.
In a shocking turn of events, PTI chief Imran Khan, who was present at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for two hearings on Tuesday afternoon, was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Islamabad police released a statement quoting Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan as saying that Imran had been arrested in relation to the case which alleges that the PTI chief and his wife obtained billions of rupees from a real estate firm for legalising Rs50 billion.
- Interior minister says Imran had failed to appear before the court despite being issued several notices
- IHC CJ summons Islamabad police chief, the interior ministry secretary and the additional attorney general to explain Imran’s arrest
- Asad Umar says six-member committee headed by Shah Mahmood Qureshi would determine the next course of action
- Protests reported in several cities
The police chief also said that the situation in Islamabad was “normal”, adding that Section 144 had been imposed in the city and action would be taken against violators.
Imran’s arrest warrant, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, showed that it was issued on May 1. It said that Imran was accused of corruption and corrupt practice under Section 9(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry had initially confirmed news of Imran’s arrest to Dawn.com that had prompted IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq to direct the Islamabad police chief, the interior ministry secretary and the additional attorney general to appear before the court within 15 minutes.
This image shows the arrest warrant issued for Imran Khan.
The IHC CJ said that he was showing “restraint” and warned that he would “summon” the prime minister if the Islamabad police chief did not appear before the court.
“Come to court and tell us why Imran has been arrested and in which case,” Justice Farooq said.
Barrister Gohar Khan, who was present at the IHC during the PTI chief’s arrest, alleged Imran was “tortured”.
“They hit Imran’s head and leg,” he told Dawn.com, claiming that Rangers had arrested the ex-premier. Gohar further stated that the PTI chairman’s wheelchair was also tossed aside during the arrest.
A Reuters witness said shortly after Imran entered the gate of the IHC, contingents of paramilitary forces and armoured personnel carriers entered after him.
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The gate was blocked by the armoured vehicles while Khan was whisked away shortly after under heavy security, the witness added.
The development comes on the heels of the military’s rejection of accusations Imran made against DG-C Maj Gen Faisal Naseer. Imran had accused the officer of involvement in the assassination attempt against him in Wazirabad. Imran doubled down on the allegations in a video message today.
The former premier’s detention also follows several unsuccessful attempts, including a police raid at his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park, to arrest him which he had managed to evade.
‘Imran abducted, scores tortured’
PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that the IHC has been “occupied by the Rangers” and lawyers “are being subjected to torture”.
“Imran Khan’s car has been surrounded,” he added.
In another tweet, Fawad alleged that Imran had been “abducted” from the court premises while score of lawyers and general people had been “tortured”.
“Imran Khan has been whisked away by unknown people to an unknown location,” he said.
PTI’s Shafqat Mahmood said that he strongly condemned Imran’s arrest, alleging that the PTI chief was also “manhandled and mistreated”.
“This is height of fascism and totally unacceptable. Rule of law in the country is over,” he said.
Protests reported in several cities
Meanwhile, protests were reported in several cities across the country.
In Lahore, PTI supporters led by Senator Ejaz Chaudhry gathered at the Liberty Chowk. Dawn.com’s correspondent at the scene said party workers had also closed down Akbar Chowk, Peco Road, Main Canal Road and Faisal Town.
The demonstrators burnt tyres and chanted slogans against the coalition government. Outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence, PTI supporters also tore down government banners.
In Karachi, both the lanes of the Sharea Faisal were blocked after PTI MNAs and MPAs blocked the roads.
Separately, PTI’s Sindh chapter issued a protest call, asking supporters to gather outside the Insaf House at 4pm.
Demonstrations were also reported in Peshawar’s Hashtnagri.
This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves.