• The arrest of ex-prime minister Imran Khan on corruption allegations earlier this week has been deemed illegal by Pakistan’s Supreme Court.
• Dozens protest outside Avenfield House, London (the residence of Nawaz Sharif)
The events of Tuesday, culminating in Imran Khan’s arrest, were captured in a dramatic sequence that quickly spread worldwide. Circulating footage shows Pakistan’s paramilitary troops, the Rangers, forcefully breaching the High Court’s complex where Khan was stationed, before whisking him away in an armoured vehicle with great haste.
His arrest triggered violent protests across the nation, as well as protests in London outside the residence of Nawaz Sharif. Nawaz Sharif is the former Prime Minister and the brother of the current Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif. Many of Khan’s supporters accuse the Sharif family of involvement in his violent abduction.
Khan’s lawyers have maintained that his arrest from the court premises in Islamabad was unlawful, and the Pakistan Supreme Court today ruled that the arrest was illegal ordering his immediate release.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial told Khan, “Your arrest was invalid so the whole process needs to be backtracked.” According to the chief justice, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) violated the law by arresting Khan without permission on the premises of the Islamabad High Court, which would create a “chilling effect”.
The former Prime Minister claimed that he had been kidnapped from the High Court on Tuesday and “hit with sticks”. However, the judges reminded him multiple times that others have endured even more severe treatment.
Pakistan Government Arrests Senior PTI Leaders, Including Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Tightening Grip on the Party.
Several senior members of the PTI were arrested in a violent manner following Imran Khan’s detainment. Many individuals shared videos on social media showing officers causing property damage during the arrests, despite the individuals offering no resistance.
According to a statement issued by the Islamabad police, Qureshi, Umar, Chaudhry, Jamshed Iqbal Cheema, Falaknaz Chitrali, Musarrat Jamshed Cheema, and Maleeka Bokhari have been arrested thus far. The police further explained that the arrests were made under the suspicion of inciting arson and violent protests through a well-planned scheme, which posed a threat to public safety.
Many of Khan’s supporters perceive this as yet another effort by the present government to quell the democratic endeavours of the PTI political movement. Khan was removed from office through a no-confidence vote on April 10, 2022. Khan, in turn, alleged that some members of his party had been bribed to vote against him, in a scheme orchestrated by the United States.
The recent violent arrest took place after Khan publicly identified Major-General Faisal Naseer as the mastermind behind the unsuccessful assassination attempt that caused a gunshot wound to his leg. Additionally, Khan accused the Major-General of being responsible for the murder of Arshad Sharif, a senior journalist in Pakistan, who was a supporter of Khan and vocal in his criticism of both the military and the current government.
In the ongoing saga of Khan’s political endeavours, the recent violent arrest and apprehension of the PTI leadership can only be seen as yet another provocation aimed at crushing his movement.
Ominous clouds hang over Pakistan.
The tumultuous arrest of Khan, a brazen abduction in broad daylight, leaves us with many questions regarding the perilous intentions of both Pakistan military and the current government.
In a nation already fractured by opposing political stances, the military’s decision to greenlight the public abduction of Khan should send a chill down the spines of both pro- and anti-military factions alike. Even if we view this action through the lens of realpolitik, it begs the question: why would the military order the abduction of the nation’s most popular leader?
To the seasoned political observer, it would come as no surprise that the public’s reaction to Khan’s violent arrest has been nothing short of explosive. Even novice analysts, with little more than a rudimentary understanding of the political climate, could have predicted such a backlash, given the anti-army sentiments that had been brewing since the horrific murder of Senior journalist Arshad Sharif and the failed assassination attempt on Khan’s life.
It is unfathomable to think that the Pak Army and intelligence services could not have anticipated the violent backlash that was sure to follow Khan’s arrest, including violence that was sure to be directed towards them. Which begs the question: why did they steer their own country towards the brink of an abyss?
This uncomfortable question is the ominous cloud that looms over the nation of Pakistan, raising more concerns than answers. But to hone in on the key decision-makers in Pakistan, it is important to ask a crucial question: who forced the army chief’s hand to set fire to his own country?
This is a biased and unethical article. We have chosen the state as our sovereign, with the Pakistan Army forming a significant part of our nation. While politicians may have let us down, it is important to acknowledge that nothing is perfect. We are indebted to the institution dedicated to our well-being, tirelessly working day and night for our security and peace of mind. Have we not seen other countries like Libya, Lebanon, Iran, and Afghanistan being torn apart by internal conflicts, causing their armies to lose credibility, and the moment it does, that country is nothing but a refuge in itself. which will ultimately take shelter of the ones who wanted it to go in that state (The US). However, our army has shown integrity, asserting that what is wrong is wrong. They hold the sovereignty and will do what is right. Isn’t it doubtful, that the Western media would readily support good deeds and condemn wrongdoings, considering how they have portrayed events in Qatar? Can you name a single successful democratic country that is not influenced by its defense (The army)? It is time to reflect on past practices. No one is here solely for your benefit, except for our own army and I am proud to say that. Certainly, the politicians are the ones to blame for this instability. At present, I have no reservations in saying that Imran Khan is at the forefront of this problem. While others may be very bad, he stands as the worst.
It is imperative that we discern between right and wrong without allowing our emotions or personal preferences to cloud our judgments…
Isn’t this news also biased? You are also supporting the Pakistani mainstream media narrative.
Is this news not covered correctly if yes then it’s ok but if this covered (I don’t know as I don’t dwell in politics of other countries) th en I don’t think this is the aim of the creator of website
None the Iess i may be wrong if so ignore my comment and continue your work brother