Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan arrested outside Islamabad High Court

Islamabad, May 9: Former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan was arrested from outside the Islamabad high court (IHC) on Tuesday. According to local reports, the PTI chairman was taken into custody by Rangers, a paramilitary federal law enforcement corps. Khan was scheduled to appear before the Islamabad High Court in a mutiny case and another pertaining to charges of attempted murder.

 

According to a Reuters report citing an eyewitness, as soon as Khan 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 Khan was whisked away under heavy security.

 

The former premier’s detention follows several unsuccessful attempts, including a police raid at his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park, to arrest Imran. The Islamabad police said that Section 144 has been imposed in the national capital.

 

 

Islamabad police released a statement quoting Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan as saying that Imran had been arrested in relation to a case which concerns allegations that Bahria Town allotted land worth PKR 530 million to Al-Qadir Trust, owned by the PTI chairman and his wife.

 

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.

 

Meanwhile, 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.