Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan was arrested by Rangers officials at the Islamabad Judicial Complex, according to IG Islamabad on Tuesday. The former prime minister was taken into custody concerning the Qadir Trust case. However, IG Islamabad emphasized that the situation was normal and that Section 144 was in effect, warning that violations would result in police action.
Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq took notice of the incident and summoned IG Islamabad, the interior secretary, and the additional attorney general. Justice Farooq demanded immediate information regarding the reason for Imran’s arrest and who was responsible, stating that action would be taken, even against ministers if necessary.
Initial reports suggest Imran has been taken to Rawalpindi’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office. However, he was arrested at the IHC, where he had appeared for a hearing related to inciting mutiny cases. Before the arrest, PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry claimed that Rangers occupied the IHC, lawyers were mistreated, and Imran’s car was surrounded.
IG Islamabad confirmed that Imran Khan was taken to Rawalpindi’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah stated that the former prime minister failed to appear in court despite notices regarding the Al-Qadir Trust land transfer case, in which Imran and his wife were allegedly trustees.
Sanaullah added that Imran was arrested for damaging the national treasury, but no violence occurred during the arrest. However, Imran was taken into custody at the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where he attended hearings related to inciting mutiny and violence against PML-N leader Mohsin Shahnawaz Ranjha.
A Reuters witness reported that paramilitary forces and armored personnel carriers entered the IHC soon after Imran, and he was taken away under heavy security.
PTI senior leader Fawad Chaudhry claimed that Rangers occupied the IHC, lawyers were mistreated, and Imran’s car was surrounded.
The PTI’s official Twitter account reported that Imran’s lawyer was injured during the arrest inside the IHC.
In 2019, Imran Khan, then prime minister, laid the foundation for Al-Qadir University for Sufism in Jhelum district. Then, however, he was accused of embezzling Rs50 billion from the national treasury and registering the Trust on 450-kanal land alongside a property tycoon.