Ex-PM of South Asian Nation Nabbed by Paramilitary

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan Arrested on Terrorism and Corruption Charges

Imran Khan, the former prime minister of Pakistan and popular leader, was arrested on Tuesday by paramilitary forces on charges related to terrorism and corruption. Despite his arrest, Khan remains outspoken against the country’s military and political leadership.

A Controversial Figure

Khan, a former cricket player, was ousted from his role as prime minister in April 2022 by a no-confidence vote in parliament after being accused of corruption and violating the constitution. Khan survived a shooting in November and has claimed that corrupt officials coordinated his removal from office.

In a tweet before his arrest, Khan said that Pakistan’s military and political opponents in the Pakistan Democratic Movement Party were trying to arrest him to “prevent me from campaigning” and to “prevent me from mobilising the masses for street movement in support of Constitution.”

Supporters Take to the Streets

After his arrest, he was taken to the National Accountability Bureau for questioning, according to police. Supporters took to the streets in protest, starting fires and clashing with police.

Khan’s arrest came as he was set to go before the Islamabad High Court over mutiny and attempted murder cases, according to Dawn, an English-language Pakistani newspaper. Since his removal last year, Khan has been in court battles over whether he would be able to run for office and has faced allegations of corruption.

A Populist Political Party

He has also led the charge for earlier elections throughout Pakistan, as his populist political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has gained public support in the aftermath of Khan’s ouster.

Just before he was arrested, Khan, 71, had said that an intelligence officer was trying to kill him. “This man tried to kill me twice and whenever an investigation is carried out, I will prove that it was this man and there is a whole gang with him,” he said.

Condemnation from Pakistan’s Prime Minister

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing for Pakistan’s Armed Forces, called Khan’s claims “irresponsible and baseless” as well as “extremely unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable.” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned Khan’s comments, saying they wouldn’t be “tolerated.”

Khan’s arrest has sparked controversy and protests in Pakistan, with many questioning the motives behind his arrest and the country’s political and military leadership.