Imran Khan, the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, was arrested on Tuesday afternoon at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case. Khan had been present at the court for two hearings when the arrest took place. The circumstances surrounding his detention have raised questions and sparked intrigue among observers.
Khan's party claimed the leader was arrested "violently" by Pakistani Rangers and was injured. PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry alleged in a tweet that Khan was abducted from the court premises, and scores of lawyers and people were tortured.
"Imran Khan has been whisked away by unknown people to an unknown location, CJ Islamabad High Court has ordered Secy Interior and IG police to appear within 15 min in the court," he added in his tweet.
He was taken into custody by law enforcement agency Rangers outside the IHC premises. Witnesses reported that Khan was apprehended and escorted away in a black Vigo vehicle.
PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry confirmed the arrest, prompting IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq to take immediate action. Chief Justice Farooq directed the Islamabad police chief, the interior ministry secretary, and the additional attorney general to appear before the court within a short period.
The arrest warrant for Imran Khan was issued by NAB Rawalpindi on May 1 and has been executed by Rangers in Islamabad today.
Pakistan journalist Hamid Mir tweeted: "Just a few moments before the arrest Imran Khan was waiting for biometrics in Islamabad High Court. His lawyer Barrister Gohar Khan told me that Rangers arrested Khan during the biometrics process. Gohar claimed that Rangers pushed him first and then arrested Khan very violently."