Imran Khan News Live: Ex-Pakistan PM Sent to 8-Day Remand, Army Enters Islamabad
Meanwhile, a Pakistan court indicted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana corruption case.
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Imran Khan Arrest News Live Updates: Legal turmoil continues to brew for former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's, who was sent to the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) remand for 8 days in the Al-Qadir Trust land deal case ended.
This came just a few hours after a Pakistan court indicted the former prime minister in the Toshakhana corruption case.
Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi are under investigation by NAB for a settlement involving a property tycoon that reportedly resulted in a loss of 190 million pounds to the national treasury.
Meanwhile, the Toshakhana case involved allegations that he received luxury vehicles as gifts but failed to declare them. The case questions the legality of using the state gift depository for personal benefits. Khan was accused of violating laws related to assets and misusing his authority.
Several regions of Pakistan, including Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Lahore, erupted into violence after Imran Khan was taken into custody and several demonstrations have been planned for Thursday as well, the PTI party said.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said that mobile broadband will remain suspended across the country for an indefinite period, and confirmed that it was acting on order from the Interior Ministry.
In an unusual move, the armed forces issued a statement on Wednesday, calling 9 May, a significant and unfortunate day in the nation's history, characterised by widespread violence. The Army was also requisitioned in Islamabad and Punjab.
Supporters of Khan's PTI have staged protests outside Pakistan's High Commissions Pakistan in London and Canada, and demonstrations are taking place across the United States, including outside The White House as well.
Some of the worst incidents of violence and vandalism were reported from Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi and Rawalpindi. The PTI overnight claimed several deaths and dozens of injuries of its workers in clashes with law enforcement agencies.
Islamabad police have claimed that PTI protesters in the capital are lobbing petrol bombs and throwing stones at officers.
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
(Photo: PTI)
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Imran Khan's PTI Calls for 'Nationwide Strike'
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced a nationwide shutdown in protest of the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, Dawn reported.
PTI's Top Brass 'Fighting' to Visit, Release Imran Khan
PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the party's top brass is in Islamabad and is "fighting” to visit the former PM to have him released from “this illegal abduction."
Qureshi said that protests would take place across the country and urged supporters to remain peaceful.
Broadband, Major Social Media Remain Inaccessible
Meanwhile, broadband, mobile internet, and major special media platforms are inaccessible across Pakistan, as authorities continue to restrict access.
Citizens reported being unable to access Facebook and Twitter on Wednesday morning while mobile data was also down.
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority said that it had suspended mobile broadband across the country after being instructed by Pakistan's interior ministry.
Netblocks, an organisation tracking internet outages, said that access to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube was restricted across the country after Khan's arrest and added that it had observed "total internet shutdowns" in sone regions of Pakistan.
Shehbaz Sharif's 'Warning' to Imran Khan
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has warned Khan not to disrupt the legal and political system in Pakistan and tweeted, "Imran Niazi's act of routinely maligning and threatening Pakistan Army and Intelligence Agency for the sake of petty political gains is highly condemnable.
"His leveling of allegations without any proof against Gen Faisal Naseer and officers of our Intelligence Agency cannot be allowed and will not be tolerated," the PM added.
‘Was Raided Twice Last Night’: PTI Leader Azhar Mashwani
Focal Person (Social Media) to former Pakistan PM and PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Azhar Mashwani, tweeted and claimed that people in plain clothes and Counter-Terrorism department uniforms raided his home last night.
What Is the Al-Qadir Trust Case?
The former prime minister, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other leaders from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, is under investigation by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for a settlement involving a property tycoon that reportedly resulted in a loss of 190 million pounds to the national treasury.
They are also accused of receiving undue advantages in the form of 458 kanals (unit of area used in Pakistan, about 500 sq meters) of land at Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa, which were used to establish Al Qadir University.
Imran Khan Will Not Be Brought to Court Today
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will not be brought to court on Tuesday, and his scheduled hearing will take place at his custody location on Wednesday police confirmed.
Legal Team Denied Permission to Meet Imran Khan
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan’s legal team alleged that they have been denied permission to meet their leader ahead of the Al-Qadir Trust case hearing on Wednesday, 10 May.
“We were stopped from meeting our client,” a member of Khan’s legal team, Babar Awan, told Geo News, adding that denying a visit to the former prime minister is against the Constitution
A Last-Minute Change: How Was Imran Khan Arrested?
According to local media reports, there was a last-minute change in the plan to arrest Imran Khan, the former PM of Pakistan. The original plan involved the Islamabad police carrying out the arrest, but it was ultimately decided that the federal paramilitary Rangers would be responsible for the arrest instead, under orders from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Dawn stated that the police officers had initially planned to arrest Khan at the main entrance of the Islamabad High Court. However, the plan was altered, and the police were instructed to take custody of him from inside the court building.
The court had previously criticized the police for conducting the arrest within the court premises and causing damage to court property during the process.
Overseas Pakistanis Protests Outside The White House
Protest broke out against former Pakistan PM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan's arrest outside The White House and the Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC.
Visuals showed overseas Pakistanis protesting and sitting on a hunger strike, which they claimed will end only after Khan is released.
A Special Hearing at a Police Guest House, Not an Islamabad Court
A recent notification issued by the Government of Pakistan stated that instead of being taken to the F-8 Court Complex and Judicial Complex G 11/4, Imran Khan will be presented at the New Police Guest House, Police Lines.
During the hearing, Khan will be presented before both the accountability court and the magistrate court simultaneously. This is the first time judges will conduct a hearing at the guest house.
Police officials have clarified that access to the special court will be granted to individuals based on the court's list, and permission for media coverage will be determined by the judges.
PTI General Secretary Asad Umar Arrested outside Islamabad High Court
The Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf alleged that PTI General Secretary Asad Umar has been arrested from the Islamabad High Court premises.
Advocate Faisal Chaudhry confirmed the development to Dawn and added that Qureshi was taken away from the main entrance of the court, but said that he was unclear on the charges.
Qureshi had most recently tweeted and questioned why Imran is not being allowed legal representation and asked:
Imran Khan's PTI Approached Pakistan SC Against Islamabad Court Verdict
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has lodged a petition with the Supreme Court to challenge the verdict of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the arrest of their party chief, Imran Khan.
The IHC had ruled the previous day that Imran Khan's arrest was lawful.
According to the confirmation received from Dawn, the application submitted to the Supreme Court was filed by lawyer Ali Zafar and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry.
"PTI will challenge the IHC's decision to term party chief Imran Khan's arrest by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) 'legal' before the Supreme Court today (Wednesday)," he was quoted as saying in the report.
What Happened During the Hearing?
During the hearing, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) requested a 14-day physical remand for Imran Khan, but the lawyers representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposed this demand.
Present at the Islamabad Police Lines were Special Prosecutor Rafay Maqsood, Deputy Prosecutor Muzaffar Abbasi, NAB Prosecutor Sardar Zulqarnain, and the anti-graft watchdog's investigation officer, Mian Umar Nadeem.
Abbasi assured the judges that all important documents would be provided to Khan's legal team. The judge called for a break, instructing the legal team to hold discussions with Khan, as the latter complained that the authorities did not allow them to meet before the hearing began.
After the break, the hearing resumed, and Khawaja Haris, one of Khan's lawyers, argued about the legality of his arrest.
Punjab Police Arrest Close to 1,000 Persons After Recent Violence
The Punjab police have reported that approximately 1,000 individuals have been apprehended in the province following the recent events.
AFP quoted the police, who said, “Police teams arrested 945 lawbreakers and miscreants from across the province."
Additionally, they stated that during the outbreak of violence that occurred after the arrest of the former Prime Minister, around 130 officers and officials sustained injuries.
‘Haven’t Gone to the Washroom in 24 Hours’: Imran Khan’s Purported Statement in Court
In a purported statement during the hearing, former PM and PTI chief Imran Khan said, "I haven't gone to the washroom in 24 hours."
'The NAB Is Saying They Want To Compile the Records,’ Questions Imran Khan.
After Khan's lawyer concluded his argument, Khan expressed his complaint about the records that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was seeking but not sharing with him or his officials.
He also requested the judges to summon his team of doctors, particularly mentioning Dr. Faisal.
'Islamabad HC Chief Justice Also Not Immune to Arrest': PTI Leader Fawad Chaudhry
Fawad Chaudhry, a senior PTI leader, criticized the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), stating that the chief justice was not immune to arrest.
“The chief justice could also be picked up, and he will not be able to do anything about it,” he told reporters in Islamabad."
He also questioned the motives of the IHC chief justice in issuing a show-cause notice to the interior secretary and Islamabad police chief, especially considering that the court itself had already declared Imran's arrest as legal.
Imran Khan Indicted in Toshakhana Corruption Case
As former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan's hearing in the Al-Qadir Trust land deal case continued, a Pakistan court indicted the former prime minister the in Toshakhana corruption case
Explained: What is the Toshakhana Case?
What is the Toshakhana?: The Toshakhana is a department responsible for storing gifts and other expensive items given to public officials, which must report these gifts to the Cabinet Division.
While some gifts can be retained, more expensive gifts must be kept in the Toshakhana under Pakistani law. But if the public official wants to retain a gift, they can pay a fraction of the gift’s value, as determined by the Toshakhana evaluation committee.
What did the court previously say?: Almost two months after the case was filed against Khan, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) found that while Khan’s sale of gifts wasn’t illegal, he did undertake unethical behaviour, making false assertions and false declarations, and ended up barring him from holding public office for five years.
Why now?: Imran Khan was set to be indicted in the case, but his lawyers requested to exempt him from the hearing, but the plea was rejected and a non-bailable warrant was issued against Khan.
What did Imran Khan take from the Toshakhana?: One of the gifts included a Graff watch, a set of cufflinks, a ring, and an expensive pen. In the other three gifts, there were four Rolex watches included in each.
Close to 270 People Arrested in Karachi
According to the police, approximately 270 individuals have been arrested in Karachi following the protests that erupted in the city after Imran Khan's arrest.
In response to the situation, CM Shah has instructed the police to ensure that all those responsible for the damages are arrested and held accountable by sending them behind bars.
NGO's Ambulance Carrying Injured Set on Fire in Peshawar, No Loss of Life Reported
According to a statement from a spokesperson for Edhi, a non-profit social welfare organisation, an ambulance was set on fire and destroyed by protestors near Jinnah Park on Peshawar's GT road in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The ambulance was carrying injured individuals to the hospital at the time. No loss of life was reported in the incident. The spokesperson also mentioned that another ambulance was damaged during the protest.
Hearing in Al-Qadir Trust Case Concludes, Verdict Reserved
After Imran Khan made his initial appearance before Judge Mohammad Bashir in court, the judge has reserved the verdict in the Al-Qadir Trust embezzlement case after both the defence and plaintiffs concluded their arguments.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had requested a 14-day physical remand, which is the maximum allowed by law.
Petrol Bombs and Stone-Pelting in Islamabad: Police
The Islamabad police have claimed that PTI protesters in the capital are lobbing petrol bombs and throwing stones at authorities, adding that that trees and other state property is being set on fire.
'Imran Khan Experiencing Chest Pains Since Morning': Lawyer
According to Imran Khan's lawyer, the PTI Chairman experienced chest pains since the morning.
The lawyer spoke to the media outside the accountability court in Islamabad and revealed that he was among the PTI counsels who met with the former prime minister before the hearing in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
He described the condition in which Imran Khan was kept at the Islamabad Police Lines, where he was transferred at 3am the previous night, and added that Khan was poorly treated, deprived of food, and not provided a bed to sleep on.
Office of Islamabad Industrial Area SP Burnt, Records Set Ablaze
The Islamabad police have said that the office of the senior superintendent of the Industrial Area has been set on fire by miscreants.
"The protesters set fire to the office of SP (Industrial Area.) All the records of the office have been burnt by the protestors," officials said.
An Update on the Violence in Punjab
In the past 24 hours, violent clashes between Imran Khan's supporters and security forces have resulted in seven deaths and nearly 300 injuries across Pakistan.
The army has been deployed in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan provinces to restore law and order. Following Imran Khan's arrest, PTI party supporters set fire to 14 government buildings in Punjab.
Shehbaz Sharif's Cabinet Ministers Meet Underway
Members of Pakistan's Cabinet have gathered to review the law and order situation in the country that was sparked by Opposition leader Imran Khan's arrest, Dawn reported.
Measures to bring the situation under control are also being discussed at the Cabinet meeting, which is reportedly being presided over by PM Shehbaz Sharif.
'Monitoring Situation': UK PM Rishi Sunak
The United Kingdom is keeping an eye on the situation in Pakistan, according to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
"The arrest of the former prime minister [Imran Khan] is an internal matter for Pakistan. We support peaceful democratic processes and adherence to the rule of law and we are monitoring the situation carefully," Sunak was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Pakistan’s Political Chasm: the Army’s Staged Move Traps Imran in His Own Design
"The Army will no doubt turn the screws on the PTI leadership so that at least some break away from Khan. It will seek to convey the message that Khan’s continuance in politics will not be allowed despite his undoubted popularity," wrote former Secretary [West], Ministry of External Affairs Vivek Katju.
Click here to read the full story, which explains how Khan's arrest are a representation that army chief Asim Munir and his generals seem to be following a carefully prepared script.
Police Detained 23 Additional Protestors in Karachi
In Karachi, the police have detained an additional 23 individuals following ongoing protests against the arrest of PTI party leader Imran Khan.
“We have arrested a total of 23 miscreants —12 at the Insaf House on Sharea Faisal and 11 at Millenium Mall," said Gulshan Superintendent of Police Zafar Siddique Chaanga said.
According to media sources, the protesters engaged in acts of violence against the law enforcement authorities, prompting them to respond with tear gas and baton charges.
'Shah Mahmood Qureshi Not Detained,' Claims PTI's Shireen Mazari
Refuting several media reports, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari told Dawn that the party's Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has not been detained.
Raids Underway at Imran Khan's Zaman Park Residence: PTI Leader Shireen Marazi
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shireen Mazari claimed that a raid is underway at PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore amid "heavy shelling."
Marazi added that the occupants of the home are currently limited to Imran’s wife Bushra Bibi, along with the domestic staff.
“What purpose does such an attack serve beyond pure harassment and terrorisation of Khan’s wife,” Mazari said.
9 May Is a 'Dark Chapter' in Pakistan’s History: Army Statement
In an unusual move, the armed forces issued a statement on Wednesday, calling 9 May, a significant and unfortunate day in the nation's history, characterised by widespread violence after Imran Khan's arrest.
According to the military's media wing, following Khan's arrest at the Islamabad High Court on the orders of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), a deliberate and coordinated assault was observed, specifically targeting army properties and installations. The perpetrators of these attacks also resorted to chanting anti-army slogans.
Death Toll in Peshawar Rises to Four, 84 Injured; 12 Police Persons Hurt
According to the spokesperson of Lady Reading Hospital, the death toll resulting from the violent protests in Peshawar has risen to four. Additionally, the hospital has received over 84 injured individuals who are currently being provided with medical assistance.
Dawn reported that twelve police personnel were injured during the protests, with three of them being in critical condition.
Terror Cases Registered Against Protestors Who Attacked Police Officials: Sindh Gov Spokesperson
During a recent press conference, Murtaza Wahab, the spokesperson for the Sindh government, addressed the issue of violence against police officials in Karachi. He revealed that cases related to terrorism were being filed against individuals who had attacked law enforcement officers
Army Requisitioned in Islamabad To ‘Maintain Law and Order’
After a request from the chief commissioner, the Ministry of Interior requisitioned army troops in Islamabad to “maintain the law and order situation”.
Following the authorization of the deployment of the army by the interior ministry, the capital police in Islamabad reported that Pakistan Army troops were promptly being dispatched to various locations within the capital city.
Army Requisitioned in Punjab To Protect 'National Assets'
Police Station in Islamabad Set Ablaze
The Islamabad police said that capital’s “Ramna police station is being set on fire," a few moments after an armoured carrier was set ablaze.
Authorities, in a statement on Twitter, said that protesters fired at police personnel in the area, asking residents not to step out of their houses unnecessarily.