In-focus

Al-Qadir trust case: IHC declares Imran's arrest lawful

Al-Qadir trust case: IHC declares Imran's arrest lawful

Pakistan

Imran Khan was arrested in Al-Qadir trust case

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday declared the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan 'legal'. IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq announced the reserved verdict by accepting the point of view of NAB.

The IHC on Tuesday evening reserved verdict in a case whether PTI chairman Imran Khan’s arrest, hours earlier, in the Al-Qadir trust case was illegal or had legal backing.

IHC CJ sprang into action soon after a team of rangers took Imran Khan into custody on the premises of court where the PTI chief had come in two cases.

Earlier, A team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), with the help of Rangers, on Tuesday took former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan into custody in the Al-Qadir Trust case, prompting the IHC to take note. The NAB adopted a view that Imran Khan did not respond to the notices sent to him and his arrest was 'completely in line with law and as per NAB ordinance'.

Imran Khan's arrest warrant

Imran’s arrest warrant was signed by NAB Chairman Lt-Gen Nazir Ahmed. It said the PTI chief was accused of corruption and corrupt practices under Section 9(a) of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.

Saifullah Niazi, a cousin of Imran Khan, said the PTI chief had been arrested on the premises of the Islamabad High Court where he appeared in two cases. He was shifted to the NAB Rawalpindi office. The NAB team was assisted by the Pakistan Rangers personnel in the operation.

The Islamabad IGP, in a tweet, said Imran Khan had been arrested in the Al-Qadir Trust case. He said Mr Khan had been shown the warrant before arrest.

In an early development, Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Amir Farooq sprang into action and summoned the IGP and the Secretary Interior within 15 minutes in court. He said it should be clear which case Imran Khan was involved in and why he had been arrested. He said the act was patently wrong.

He said he would not hesitate to summon Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif if the IGP and the Secretary Interior would not appear in court. He further said he could take action against the prime minister and other ministers too. Later, the police chief appeared in court and claimed that Imran Khan had been legally arrested after showing the warrant. He said no one had tortued the PTI chief.

Meanwhile, Islamabad IGP Akbar Nasir Khan appeared before the IHC and said Imran Khan was arrested through a legal process. He added that the NAB could seek the help of any force for its operation.

The court expressed displeasure over the non-appearance of the secretary interior. The court was adjourned for half an hour with the summoning of NAB's Rawalpindi DG and prosecutor general. After a brief hiatus, the court started the proceedings. The DG NAB Rawalpindi and prosecutor general appeared in the court and respond to the IHC chief justice questions.

Imran Khan will be presented before the accountability court judge for the physical remand tomorrow (Wednesday).