Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan arrested on Tuesday by paramilitary troops who smashed their way into a courthouse in Islamabad to detain him on multiple corruption charges.
Why was Khan arrested?
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has arrested on corruption charges, accused of taking property in exchange for providing benefits to a property tycoon in the country. The arrest came after Khan accused a senior military officer of plotting to kill him, which drew a warning from the military. Khan’s supporters have accused of orchestrating attacks on military offices and public places. The arrest has sparked scuffles between his supporters and police outside the court.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) detained Khan, which some view as a tool used by those in power, especially the military, to crack down on political opponents. The government claims that Khan was not cooperating with the investigation into his alleged involvement in the illegal purchase of lands from a business tycoon, causing the treasury to lose millions of dollars during his time in office. Khan’s arrest could bar him from holding public office and exclude him from participating in upcoming elections later this year
Khan’s arrest a ‘dark day’ for democracy: Corbyn
Former UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the arrest of ex-PM Khan was a “dark day for democracy”.
“Solidarity with protestors in Pakistan and beyond demanding his immediate release,” he tweeted.
Photos: Protests erupt across Pakistan
Lawyers say Khan’s arrest ‘illegal’
According to legal experts in Pakistan, the arrest of Khan from an Islamabad court deemed as “completely illegal”. From Islamabad, it has stated that Khan’s lawyer will appealing to the Supreme Court, where they plan to contest the verdict of the Islamabad High Court, which had previously ruled that the arrest was lawful.
Social media remains blocked in Pakistan
Following orders from the Ministry of Interior, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has confirmed that major social media platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook have restricted, causing difficulties for social media users in Pakistan to access them. Despite the blockage starting on Tuesday, users are still reporting issues accessing these websites and apps. Amnesty International has condemned this action and is calling on authorities to reverse their decision.
Khan’s arrest: What Pakistani newspapers are saying
The recent arrest of Imran Khan, a popular Pakistani leader, has met with widespread criticism from the country’s newspapers. Dawn, which is the oldest English-language newspaper in Pakistan, described the arrest as a “Rubicon crossed” moment. According to the newspaper, the protests that broke out after Khan’s arrest indicate that the public’s anger also directed towards the military. Video footage recorded during the protests suggested that people willing to cross lines that previously deemed untouchable.
The Nation, a Lahore-based newspaper, stated that Pakistan’s political atmosphere is becoming increasingly tense due to Imran Khan’s “irresponsible and incendiary rhetoric”. The newspaper believes that Khan’s words may have contributed to his own arrest.
The News, another English-language newspaper that is part of the country’s largest news organization, referred to the Al-Qadir Trust case, under which Khan arrested, as “one of the biggest corruption scandals in recent history”. While acknowledging Khan’s popularity, the newspaper pointed out that this was not the first time a popular leader had arrested in Pakistan. The paper suggests that the PTI’s next move could determine the future of Pakistan’s politics. However, more astute students of history may suggest that in the current political climate, the game may be out of political hands.
Khan’s supporters plan march to capital
Khan’s supporters have announced their intention to march to Islamabad, where the former prime minister is held in custody on corruption charges. This announcement has sparked concerns that it could lead to further clashes with the security forces. The march set to start in Swabi city, located in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with supporters asked to gather early on Wednesday as part of a convoy. The party has been using social media, particularly Twitter, to communicate the details of the planned march.
In light of these events, party leaders have urged their workers to continue protesting but to avoid taking matters into their own hands. According to messages shared on Twitter, the leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining peaceful protests and urged their followers to not resort to violence. The party appears to be aware of the potential for the situation to escalate and is taking steps to ensure that their supporters remain peaceful in their demonstrations. It remains to seen whether these efforts will successful in preventing further clashes between protesters and security forces.
Khan to be questioned at police headquarters
According to a recent notification by the police, former Pakistani Prime Minister, Khan, will not brought to court for his scheduled hearing on Wednesday in a corruption case. Instead, he will questioned at the fortified police headquarters in Islamabad where he is currently being held in custody.
The police notification comes after Khan’s arrest at the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday by Pakistan’s anti-corruption agency. It is unclear why he arrested or what specific corruption allegations he is facing. Nevertheless, his scheduled hearing will still take place, albeit at a different location.
This recent development adds another layer of complexity to the already volatile political landscape in Pakistan. Many of Khan’s supporters outraged by his arrest. While his opponents view it as a long-overdue measure to hold corrupt politicians accountable. Regardless, the coming days and weeks will likely marked by intense political maneuvering and public debate as this high-profile case unfolds.
The arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad marks a significant turning point in Pakistani politics. Khan, who rose to power on an anti-corruption platform, has embroiled in a series of controversies since taking office, and his arrest is likely to have far-reaching implications for his party and the country as a whole. While supporters of Khan have protested his detention, critics argue that it is a necessary step towards holding elected officials accountable for their actions. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains seen what impact this development will have on Pakistan’s political landscape and its relationship with the international community.
