Pakistan security forces have arrested former prime minister Imran Khan at Islamabad High Court, his aides said, in a dramatic move that threatens fresh turmoil in the nuclear-armed country.
Key points:
- Mr Khan was arrested in connection with a corruption case, according to local media
- One of Mr Khan’s aides said the court premises was “attacked” by security forces who arrested Mr Khan
- In most of the 100 cases bought against him, Mr Khan faces being barred from holding public office if convicted
Footage of the arrest shared by Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party showed scores of security personnel in riot-control gear whisking him away in a van.
“Pakistan’s people, this is the time to save your country. You won’t get any other opportunity,” the PTI wrote on Twitter.
The arrest comes at a time when ordinary Pakistanis are reeling from the worst economic crisis in decades, with record-high inflation and anaemic growth.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah told reporters that Khan was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) after he did not appear before it “despite notices”.
The NAB had issued Khan’s arrest warrants on May 1, according to an order seen by Reuters.
“Khan is accused of commission of the offence of corruption and corrupt practices,” it said.
Fawad Chaudhry, Mr Khan’s aide, said in a video message that the court premises was “attacked” by security forces who arrested Mr Khan.
Mr Khan’s graft case is one of over 100 cases registered against him since he was ousted from power in a parliamentary vote in April last year. He served four years of his five-year term.
In most of the cases, Mr Khan faces being barred from holding public office if convicted, with a national election scheduled for November.
Mr Khan’s party previously vowed to ramp up protests upon his arrest, which analysts say would add to the struggles of a government already hobbled by an economic crisis that has left the nuclear-armed country on the brink of default.
Previous attempts to arrest Mr Khan from his Lahore home resulted in heavy clashes between his supporters and law enforcement personnel.
Political infighting is common in Pakistan, where no prime minister has yet fulfilled a full term and where the military has ruled for nearly half of the country’s history.
Reuters
