IHC holds off on ruling about legality of PTI leader's
arrest; Interior Minister claims Imran disregarded multiple court summons.
Imran Khan,
the chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party, was
unexpectedly arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC)
during a hearing for the Al-Qadir Trust case on Tuesday afternoon. According to
a statement by the Islamabad police, Imran was taken into custody due to
allegations that he and his wife accepted billions of rupees from a real estate
firm in exchange for legalizing a laundered amount of Rs50 billion.
The Interior
Minister, Rana Sanaullah, claimed that Imran had disregarded multiple court
summons, and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested him for causing
losses to the national treasury. However, Imran's lawyer stated that he was
tortured during the arrest, suffering blows to his injured leg and head.
The IHC
reserved its verdict on the legality of Imran's arrest, while Asad Umar
revealed that a six-member committee led by Shah Mahmood Qureshi would
determine the next course of action. Meanwhile, protests erupted in several
cities, although the police claimed that the situation in Islamabad was normal.
According to
the arrest warrant, which was signed by NAB Chairman Lt-Gen Nazir Ahmed and
dated May 1, Imran was accused of corruption and corrupt practices under
Section 9(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
This
development followed Imran's recent accusations against DG-C Maj Gen Faisal
Naseer of involvement in an assassination attempt against him.
Verdict
on legality of Imran's arrest reserved by IHC
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has yet to deliver its verdict on the legality of the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan. The Chief Justice of the IHC, Aamer Farooq, warned that if the PTI leader had been arrested unlawfully, he would be released. The IHC had demanded that the Interior Ministry Secretary, the Islamabad Police Chief and the Additional Attorney General attend the court within 15 minutes to explain why Imran had been arrested and in which case. The IG of Islamabad was the only official to appear before the court, 45 minutes later. PTI lawyer Barrister Gohar Khan then told the court that Rangers officials had arrested Imran before he entered the biometric room, using pepper spray, breaking windows and striking him with a rod. The PTI lawyers and supporters contended that the arrest was an attack on judicial independence and the dignity of the court. The IHC CJ expressed concern over the damage to the court's property and the injuries to lawyers and court staff, but emphasised that his concern was for the respect of the court.
Imran
alleges torture during arrest
During the
arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan, Barrister Gohar
Khan claimed that he was subjected to torture. Gohar stated that Imran was hit
on his head and leg by the Rangers who had arrested him. He further alleged
that the officials also tossed aside Imran's wheelchair during the arrest.
Gohar uploaded a video on PTI's official Twitter account where he accused
Rangers officials of breaking down the main gate and windows of the Islamabad
High Court (IHC) and tearing apart the area where biometric verification is
carried out. He added that the officials used pepper spray and tear gas shells
during the arrest.
According to
Gohar, all the officials present at the scene belonged to the Rangers, and
there were no police officers present. A Reuters witness stated that after
Imran entered the gate of the IHC, contingents of paramilitary forces and
armoured personnel carriers entered the premises after him.
Imran allegedly abducted and many tortured
PTI Vice
President Fawad Chaudhry has alleged on Twitter that lawyers in the Islamabad
High Court (IHC) are being tortured by Rangers, who have occupied the court. He
further added that Imran Khan's car has been surrounded. In a subsequent tweet,
Fawad claimed that Imran was abducted from the court premises and scores of
lawyers and people were tortured. PTI leader Hammad Azhar denounced Imran's
arrest and urged the nation to take to the streets. PTI's Shafqat Mahmood
condemned the arrest and claimed that Imran was mistreated. PTI's Azhar
Mashwani alleged that Rangers had abducted Imran from inside the court, and the
party called for protests. In a video message, PTI leader Musarrat Cheema
claimed that Imran was being beaten and tortured. PTI's official Twitter
account shared a video of Imran's lawyer, who was badly injured outside the
IHC, and a video of Imran's alleged arrest. The Islamabad police denied the
allegations of torture and stated that Imran's car was surrounded by police.
The police also imposed Section 144 in the capital city.
Demonstrations
erupt in various cities
Several
cities across the country saw protests amidst the situation. In Lahore, PTI
supporters gathered at Liberty Chowk, and party workers shut down Akbar Chowk,
Peco Road, Main Canal Road, and Faisal Town while burning tires and shouting
anti-government slogans. Police used water cannons against protesters outside
Imran's Zaman Park residence. In response, police were put on high alert in
Lahore with increased security measures, increased patrolling, and checks at
entry and exit points across the city. In Karachi, both lanes of the Sharea
Faisal were blocked by PTI MNAs and MPAs, and demonstrations were reported at
several locations including the main University Road, near Old Sabzi Mandi,
Banaras Chowk, and Al-Asif Square. The PTI's Sindh chapter called for a protest
outside the Insaf House, and demonstrations were also reported in Peshawar's
Hashtnagri, GT Road, Bannu, and Charsadda. The situation is evolving, and
updates will be provided based on reliable sources.
