Imran Khan is the 5th Former Prime Minister who was arrested today from Islamabad High Court premises, CW report
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 from the court’s premises in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Islamabad police released a statement quoting Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir 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 a laundered amount of Rs50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the UK during the previous PTI government.
Interior minister says Imran had failed to appear before the court despite being issued several notices
PTI lawyer says Imran was hit in the head and in his injured leg, “tortured” during arrest
IHC CJ takes strong exception to arrest taking place on court premises; summons
NAB Rawalpindi director general and bureau’s prosecutor general
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.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Imran 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,” he said, adding that Imran was not tortured.
Imran’s arrest warrant, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, was dated May 1 and signed by NAB Chairman Lt-Gen Nazir Ahmed. It said that Imran was accused of corruption and corrupt practices under Section 9(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
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.
According to the PTI chief, more than a hundred cases — ranging from sedition to corruption — have been registered against him.
IHC summons officials
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.
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.
When the hearing resumed, the Islamabad IG appeared before the court alongside the additional attorney general and the interior secretary.
“We told you to appear in court within 15 minutes but you came after 45 minutes,” the IHC CJ observed, expressing anger at the delay.
The Islamabad IG replied that he had found out about Imran’s arrest from the media. “He has been arrested in a case pertaining to corrupt practices,” he told the judge and submitted the PTI chief’s arrest warrant in court.
“But as far as I know and from what the court staff said, Imran was not arrested by the NAB,” Justice Farooq noted. “I will issue an appropriate order if the arrest was in violation of the law,” he added.
Subsequently, Barrister Gohar Khan — who was present at the time of the arrest — came to the rostrum. He said that he was with Imran when he was taken away by Rangers officials.
“They were trying to arrest the PTI chief before he even entered the biometric room,” the lawyer said, adding that Rangers personnel broke down the windows and used pepper spray.
“They hit Imran Khan sahib with a rod,” Gohar told the court and then went on to say that he was ready to record his statement with the court in this regard.
“I have seen all this from my own eyes,” he said. “They also struck his injured leg […] they have violated judicial independence and fundamental rights,” the lawyer said.
For his part, PTI lawyer Khawaja Haris said that justice was every citizen’s right. “Today’s arrest is nothing less than an attack on judicial independence,” he contended.
Haris further argued that the law did not allow the NAB to arrest a person while an inquiry was still underway.
“Imran Khan was in the process of getting his biometrics done […] I was there in the room,” Advocate Ali Bukhari, another PTI lawyer said.
“The Rangers told us to open the doors but the police objected,” he stated. “But then Rangers personnel broke the windows and entered the room. Rangers tortured everyone who was present in the room,” he added.
On the other hand, PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said that the party wanted the IHC to form a full court to hear the case. “Your court was attacked, my court was attacked. We request you to restore the dignity of this court,” he added.
At one point during the hearing, Justice Farooq stated that the court had exercised “restraint” throughout the matter. “Do not test my patience.
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The IHC CJ stated that he never knew that the accountability watchdog could carry out an arrest in such a manner.
“Is this not an attack on judicial independence? Is this arrest not illegal? Everything is in front of you […] lawyers have been attacked […] my court has been attacked […] I have been attacked,” Justice Farooq remarked.
The judge took strong exception over the arrest taking place at the IHC premises.
At this point, the additional attorney general retorted whether the parking lot and other areas of the IHC should be considered the same as the courtroom.
At that, lawyers inside the courtroom chanted “shame shame”.
Meanwhile, IG Nasir said that he was not aware of the details of arrest, to which Justice Farooq said that the entire ordeal had been narrated by the lawyers.
“If you give me a chance, I can look into the matter,” the police chief said.
Here, the IHC CJ pointed out: “My brothers are standing here in this condition today […] who is responsible for this?
“The damage to the windows and doors is not important. The damage to the dignity of this building is important.”
Justice Farooq added that the entire matter concerned the “system”. “Without the system, how will anything function?” he said and also sought answers from the authorities regarding these questions.
The judge also summoned the director general of NAB Rawalpindi and the watchdog’s prosecutor general, directing them to appear before the court within 30 minutes.
Imran ‘tortured’ during arrest
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.
In a video posted on the PTI’s official Twitter account, Gohar said that Rangers officials broke down the high court’s main gate and windows before “tearing apart” the area where biometric verification is carried out.
He said Rangers officials used pepper spray and tear gas shells, alleging that Imran was hit on the head and his injured leg with “hard objects”. He further alleged that Imran’s wheelchair, in which he had arrived at the court, was also tossed aside.
He said that all the officials at the scene belonged to the Rangers and that there were “no police at the scene”.
A Reuters witness said shortly after Imran entered the gate of the IHC, contingents of paramilitary forces and armoured personnel carriers entered after him.
The gate was blocked by the armoured vehicles while Imran was whisked away shortly after under heavy security, the witness added.
Qureshi vows to fight legal battle for Imran’s ‘safe release’
PTI Secretary General Asad Umar tweeted that a six-member committee, headed by PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, would determine the next course of action.
“Pakistan’s biggest political leader has been arrested,” Umar said. “The whole world is being shown that there is no law in the country.”
Qureshi, meanwhile, vowed to fight a political and legal war for the “safe recovery” and “release” of the party chief. In a statement, he “strongly condemned” Imran’s arrest, saying that it was unjustified and unacceptable.
Qureshi said that before departing for the IHC, Imran had said that he was ready to be arrested. “But storming the high court and disrespecting lawyers is fascist and condemnable,” he said.
He also called on the IHC CJ to immediately take notice of the arrest and requested him to issue Imran’s release orders.
“The entire nation is extremely concerned over Imran Khan’s well-being,” Qureshi said, adding that the PTI would hold peaceful protests against this move across the country today.
He added that a meeting of the party’s central leadership, which was established by Imran previously, was held earlier today. “We will soon announce a comprehensive plan of action.”
Separately, in a video message on Twitter, Qureshi also urged people across the country to take to the streets with their families and protest against the arrest of the PTI chairman.
‘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 leader Hammad Azhar said that Imran’s arrest was “not acceptable” and asserted that the PTI chief “is our red line”. He called on the nation to take to the streets against Imran’s arrest.
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.
PTI’s Azhar Mashwani alleged that Imran had been “abducted” from inside the court by Rangers. He said that the party had given an immediate call for staging protests in the country.
PTI leader Musarrat Cheema, in a video message on Twitter, said: “They are torturing Imran Khan right now […] they are beating Khan sahib. They have done something with Khan sahib.”
PTI’s official Twitter account also shared the video of Imran’s lawyer, saying that he was “badly injured” outside the IHC.
It also shared a video of visuals from Imran’s alleged arrest. “Pakistan’s brave people must come out and defend their country,” the party said.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad police said that Section 144 had been imposed in the capital city. It also rejected the PTI’s allegations that people were tortured, adding that police had encircled Imran’s car.
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.
He also said that a water cannon was being used against protesters that had gathered outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence.
Meanwhile, police were put on high alert in Lahore. A statement issued by Lahore police said security across the city had been beefed up on the instructions of Lahore Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi.
The statement said the DIG had directed to increase checking at the city’s entry and exit points and ordered officials to stay in the field. He further directed police to increase patrolling in the city and ensure peace in the city.
“Nobody can be allowed to destroy peace in the city. Those spreading anarchy and disorder should be brought to justice,” the statement quoted him as saying.
In Karachi, both lanes of the Sharea Faisal were blocked after PTI MNAs and MPAs blocked the roads. Demonstrations were also reported at the main University Road, near the Old Sabzi Mandi, Banaras Chowk and Al-Asif Square.
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 and GT Road, Bannu, and Charsadda.
This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.
Rana Sanaullah provides details of Imran’s arrest in Al-Qadir Trust case
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah provided details on the arrest of former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case on Tuesday.
In a shocking turn of events, Imran Khan was arrested from the Islamabad High Court’s premises earlier today where he was present for two hearings on Tuesday afternoon.
Soon after the arrest, Islamabad police released a statement quoting Inspector General of Police Akbar Nasir 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 a laundered amount of Rs50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the UK during the previous PTI government.
Providing further details during a press conference in Islamabad, Sanaullah said Imran was arrested by officials of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) specifically in the Al-Qadir Trust case, adding that there were “dozens” of other cases with corruption inquiries in progress against the former premier.
The interior minister said a laundered amount of 190 million pounds or around Rs70 billion belonging to a “property tycoon” was caught in the United Kingdom.
“According to the law, this amount rightfully belonged to the people of Pakistan,” he added, further saying that it was to be deposited in the national treasury and the UK government had contacted the Pakistani government regarding the amount’s return.
Meanwhile, Sanaullah alleged that former accountbaility czar Mirza Shehzad Akbar had gotten involved and “an agreement was then realised, as a result of which an Al-Qadir Trust was made”.
The interior minister said that subsequently property of 240 kanals in Bani Gala and another 458-kanal property was registered in the trust’s name. Sanaullah said he had previously provided details of the properties and had challenged the PTI chief to answer that “Al-Qadir trust was made by you to hide this corruption and bribery.”
The interior minister said Imran and his wife Bushra Bibi were the only two trustees in the matter.
“The 240 kanals in Bani Gala are registered on the name of Farah Gogi. The total worth of this property is around Rs5-7bn,” he said, alleging that Akbar had also taken Rs2bn for his “services”.
“Instead of bringing that Rs70bn amount in the national treasury, it was adjusted in the Supreme Court account of the property tycoon whose case was under trial in the apex court. Meaning his amount was returned back to him.”
The interior minister rued that not even the Supreme Court had taken notice of the matter as to the source of the amount, who it belonged to and why it was coming to Pakistan. Sanaullah said he challenged all PTI leaders wailing about Imran’s arrest to tell who who Al-Qadir’s trustees were and provide a money trail for the property bought in the trust’s name.
He said it was a “matter of shame” that during the time this corruption was committed and permission was taken for Akbar to go to a UK court and give a statement on behalf of the Pakistani government for the amount to be adjusted in the property tycoon’s account, “at that time he (Imran) was making false corruption cases against his [political] opponents.”
“Look at this person’s hypocrisy that when he was … making false corruption cases against people, he himself was [involved] in such disgusting corruption that he dealt a loss of Rs60bn to the national treasury and was getting property worth Rs6bn registered in his name.”
The interior minister said evidence was present for all of the above developments.
Sanaullah said lawyers had attempted to condemn Imran’s arrest and said it did not befit them to try to become an obstacle in a legal process, adding that the forces present at the IHC had implemented the arrest in a very “balanced and better manner”.
He added that the Toshakhana case against the PTI chief was also “proven”, saying that Imran was “committing theft” when false cases were being filed against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his family.
Sanaullah said NAB had issued notices to the PTI chief regarding the corruption cases against him and asked him to present himself and become a part of the investigation. He added that there was no need for extensive investigations if Imran had become involved since there was documentary proof and evidence present in the cases.
“It was necessary for him to present himself and give answers but he did not do so. He challenged those notices in the high court and ultimatelly the high court said that the [legal] process in accordance with law cannot be stopped and he should become a part of the investigation and submit his response but despite that, he did not feel it appropriate to become a part of the investigation. Beacause of which NAB had to implement his arrest.”
He said the high court had taken notice of the matter and said the government had no complaint about it.