Today, Ex-PM Imran Khan was arrested outside the High Court in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Appearing in court on charges of corruption, Mr Khan argued that the charges were politically motivated.
He was ousted as PM last year after losing a confidence vote in parliament last April and has been campaigning for an early election since. The general elections are to be held soon.
In a statement from Usman Anwar, the current inspector-general of Punjab police, he said that the arrest was ordered because Mr Khan had been accused of “corruption and corrupt practices” quoted from the BBC.
The case involved allegations regarding an allotment of land in the Al-Qadir Trust, owned by Mr Khan and his wife. Specifically, land/property fraud worth anywhere between 5-7 billion PKR (Pakistani Rupees) as reported by Hindustan News. Up to 19,500,000 GBP, or 24,500,000 USD.
Mr Khan denies breaking any laws though.
According to the BBC, in a video message he filmed on his way to court he said he was ready for what lay ahead.
“Come to me with warrants, my lawyers will be there,” he said. “If you want to send me to jail, I am prepared for it.” – from Imran Khan: Ex-PM arrested outside court in Pakistan – BBC News
The PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, a political party) have called for protests. This is not the first-time cases have been brought against him. National security forces have tried to detain him at his own residence before but were stopped by Mr Khan’s supporters, just as the PTI hope will happen again.
Since his ousting he has been an openly vocal critic of the government. In October he was subsequently disqualified from holding public office.
In November he survived a gun attack and was yesterday warned against making what the military referred to as “baseless allegations” after he accused a senior officer of plotting to kill him.
Raahil Y9,
Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford