Imran Khan arrested in court in Islamabad

Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has been arrested by the country’s anti-corruption body, the National Accountability Bureau. The arrest took place as Khan appeared in a court in the capital city of Islamabad to face multiple graft cases. Fawad Chaudhry, a senior official from Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, confirmed the arrest and criticized it as an “abduction.”

The arrest comes after Khan was removed from power through a no-confidence vote in April of the previous year. Since then, he has continuously claimed that his ouster was unlawful and part of a Western conspiracy. Khan has been actively campaigning against the government led by his successor, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, demanding early elections.

According to Chaudhry, Khan was forcefully taken out of the court premises and placed into a police vehicle. He is currently in the custody of the security forces. Images broadcast by independent news channel GEO TV showed Khan being escorted by security personnel towards an armored vehicle before being driven away.

In response to the arrest, Khan’s party has lodged a complaint with the Islamabad High Court, which has requested a police report detailing the charges against Khan. Officials from the anti-corruption body have stated that arrest warrants were issued for Khan last week in an unrelated graft case, for which he had not obtained bail. This lack of bail protection exposed him to arrest under the country’s laws.

The officials, speaking anonymously, mentioned that Khan will be presented before an anti-graft tribunal later in the day to address the charges brought against him. The arrest has heightened political tensions in Pakistan, and the unfolding events are being closely watched by both Khan’s supporters and his opponents.