Islamabad HC declares Imran Khan’s arrest legal
Hours after PTI chief Imran Khan was arrested in the capital from the court's premises on Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) declared the move legal.
A short order from the court is awaited on the decision, which was reserved earlier today, with IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq making the observation that if the PTI chief was arrested illegally, "he will have to be released".
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The former prime minister was arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case after he had reached the IHC for two hearings today afternoon. The arrest took place around 2:15pm.
Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir said that Imran had been arrested in relation to the case which alleges that the PTI chief and his wife obtained billions of rupees from a real estate firm for legalising a laundered amount of Rs50 billion that was identified and returned to the country by the UK during the previous PTI government.
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.
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, adding that Imran was not tortured.
Imran's arrest warrant, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, was dated May 1 and signed by NAB Chairman Lt-Gen Nazir Ahmed. It said that Imran was accused of corruption and corrupt practices under Section 9(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.
This image shows the arrest warrant issued for Imran Khan.
The development comes on the heels of the military's rejection of accusations Imran made against DG-C Maj Gen Faisal Naseer. Imran had accused the officer of involvement in the assassination attempt against him in Wazirabad. Imran doubled down on the allegations in a video message today.
The former premier's detention also follows several unsuccessful attempts, including a police raid at his residence in Lahore's Zaman Park, to arrest him which he had managed to evade.
According to the PTI chief, more than a hundred cases — ranging from sedition to corruption — have been registered against him.
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