ISLAMABAD: Country’s restive politics is likely in for a flare-up as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan was arrested by Rangers personnel from Islamabad High Court (IHC), who were acting on National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) warrant, media reported Tuesday.
The former chairman was arrested as part of the NAB’s investigation in the Al-Qadir Trust case ahead of his appearance before a judge to seek bail in multiple FIRs registered against him.
Rangers personnel driving a black Toyota Hilux Vigo took Imran Khan away to an unknown location.
Confirming the arrest, Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan said that the situation was under control.
Inspector General of Police, (IGP) Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir Khan confirmed the development and said that the situation is under control.
According to the media, the PTI chairman was going for biometric verification at the IHC when he was taken into custody. The NAB officials had arrest warrants.
Khan’s warrants were issued on May 1 by NAB chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmad Butt.
As per details, Khan was taken into custody under Section 9A of the National Accountability Ordinance 1999.
IHC Takes Notice:
Following Khan’s arrest, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq took notice of the matter, and summoned the Islamabad IG and the interior secretary within “15 minutes”.
He also directed the additional attorney general to appear before the court in 15 minutes and instructed him to immediately find out who was behind the arrest.
“If an inquiry has to be conducted, action will also be taken against the prime minister and ministers,” the chief justice said.
Further, Justice Farooq asked: “Tell us in which case the arrest was made?”
The Islamabad advocate general then requested that the court extend the time of 15 minutes to half an hour; however, the request was rejected and he was ordered to appear in 15 minutes.
What is the Al-Qadir Trust case?
The former prime minister, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders, are facing a NAB inquiry related to a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon, which reportedly caused a loss of 190 million pounds to the national exchequer.
As per the charges, the Khan and others accused allegedly adjusted Rs50 billion, 190 million pounds at the time sent by Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to the government.
They are also accused of getting undue benefit in the form of over 458 Kanals of land at Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa, to establish Al Qadir University.
