The former Prime minister of Pakistan and Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf was arrested in an alleged corruption case by NAB (National Accountability Bureau). This arrest was made by Paramilitary troops Punjab Rangers. He was arrested from the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
On Tuesday 9th May, Imran Khan reached Islamabad from Lahore (Zaman Park). During his biometric verification in the building court, paramilitary troops arrested Imran Khan in Al Qadir Trust Case. This news spread like a jungle fire, not only in the capital but also in the whole country which created immediate anxiety and turmoil in the country. Educational institutes in the capital were shut down instantly; a rush and panic situation was witnessed on roads and highways in the capital. The charged political workers started cavalcades which turned into violent riots throughout the country. The government has imposed section 144 in the different cities to avoid political gatherings but countrywide violent protests have been started by PTI workers.
The Islamabad High Court took notice of the situation and summoned the Inspector General Police (IGP) Islamabad and Interior Secretary. After the initial hearing, IHC said in its verdict that the “arrest of Imran Khan was legal”, additionally the court ordered to lodge an FIR of vandalism in the court premises and violence against lawyers while issuing contempt of court notices to the IG Islamabad and the Interior Secretary. The next hearing of the case is fixed on May 16th.
After his arrest, Imran Khan was shifted to NAB Rawalpindi According to the sources, a medical board consisting of five doctors from PIMS (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences) and two doctors from Polyclinic Hospital, headed by Dr. Rizwan Taj, conducted a medical examination of Imran Khan. Sources claimed that Imran Khan did not complain of any pain to the doctors, and his blood pressure, sugar level, and pulse were normal.
An unprecedented incident in the history of Pakistan was observed after the arrest of Imran Khan. A violent mob attacked the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi and the residence of corps commander Lahore. The crowd entered the premises of both buildings and damaged the government/ state property. Clashes between PTI workers and law enforcement agencies continued throughout the night.
What is Al- Qadir Trust Case
Imran Khan was nabbed in the Al- Qadir trust case. The Al-Qadir Trust case is related to the donation of more than 56 acres of land which was given by Bahria Town to Al-Qadir University. Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, PTI leaders Zulfi Bukhari and Dr. Babar Awan was among the trustees of this Al- Qadir Trust, but later on, these two PTI leaders separated from the trust.
In June 2022, Pakistan’s coalition government alleged that the Tehreek-e-Insaf government had transferred billions of rupees’ worth of land to Bushra Bibi, wife of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in exchange for a deal with Bahria Town (A private housing society). After the meeting of the federal cabinet, some details related to this secret agreement were also brought to the surface. These documents were signed by former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi as a trustee on behalf of Al-Qadir University Project Trust.
The PDM government had alleged that the matter was not a donation but the result of a secret deal between Malik Riaz, the owner of Bahria Town, and Imran Khan’s government. The PDM government also claimed that “Bahria Town’s” £ 190 million (PKR 60 billion), -which was handed over to the government of Pakistan after being frozen in the United Kingdom-, said amount was adjusted to the amount of PKR 460 billion due to Malik Riaz after the decision of the Supreme Court in the Bahria Town Karachi case. It was also alleged that in return, Bahria Town donated more than 56 acres of land in the Sohawa area of the Jhelum district to Al-Qadir University Trust in March 2021 and this agreement was signed between Bahria Town and Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) converted the inquiry into a formal investigation against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife.
What Happened Next
On Wednesday, May 10, Imran Khan was presented before the NAB court in the Al-Qadir Trust case, during the case hearing Former Prime Minister of Pakistan stated “Even I was not allowed to attend the washroom, I am afraid I would be killed in custody by slow poison injection”.
During the hearing in the Al-Qadir Trust case against Imran Khan, NAB requested a 14-day physical remand of the former prime minister but the court awarded 8 days’ remand.
After a series of fierce and aggressive clashes between PTI workers and Police, the federal interior ministry approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army in Punjab in view of the law and order situation in the Province while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government also forwarded its request to the federal government to deploy Pakistan Army in the province to avoid any law and order conflicting situation.
The PTI leadership talked to the media on different occasions throughout the day. PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Imran Khan is facing serious life threats. “Our leader is in the custody of those who threaten him”. Surprisingly, we were told, “Army is busy and not available for election duty but now what is the charisma that the army has been deployed in Punjab and KP today? The nation is not stupid they are observing everything”.
Former federal minister from PTI Fawad Chaudhry while talking to the journalists said his party has challenged the arrest of Imran Khan in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and applications have already been filed in SCP. “If the orders of the Supreme Court and the High Court are not taken into consideration, then close the courts” he added. In their petition, PTI requested SCP to declare Islamabad High Court’s decision annulled regarding the validation of Imran Khan’s arrest as legal. According to the petition, the order of the High Court is against Article 10-A, the decision of the Islamabad High Court is full of contradictions.
The arrest of Imran Khan is being discussed in the international arena, and around the globe media and political figures are conversing about the event. The press secretary of the White House Karine Jean-Pierre said that the USA is aware of the arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. On a question, during the press briefing held on May 9, she said, “America does not support any political candidate or party. We demand respect for democratic principles and the rule of law throughout the world”. She said, “For more information in this regard, I would like you to contact the government of Pakistan”.
It is surprising that PM Shahbaz Sharif is on an international visit to the UK and extended his visit for one more day. It is usual practice that in case of such an emergency, political leadership cancel their activities and rush back to their county to tackle the situation.
Independent experts say if the situation was not undertaken wisely it will create more political turmoil in Pakistan which is already suffering due to the economic crisis.
A large number are flocking to the Eat News for quality news every day, and readers in Taiwan, United States, United Kingdom, India, Japan, France, Pakistan, China, Malaysia and more, now support us financially.
In these chaotic, perilous times, an independent, truth-seeking news organisation like the Eat News is essential. We believe everyone deserves access to trustworthy information. That’s why we choose to keep our reporting open for all readers, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay.
The Eat News has no shareholders or billionaire owner, meaning our journalism is free from influence and vested interests – this makes us different. Our editorial independence and autonomy allows us to provide fearless investigations and analysis of those with political and commercial power. We can give a voice to the oppressed and neglected, and help bring about a brighter, fairer future.
If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. You have the power to support us through these volatile economic times and enable our journalism to reach more people, in all countries.
Every contribution, however big or small, makes a difference. Support the Eat News for better reporting.
Support the Eat News ➔
