In an unexpected turn of events, PTI leader Imran Khan was detained by the Rangers after attending two hearings at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday afternoon.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq ordered the Islamabad police chief, the interior ministry secretary, and the additional attorney general to appear before the court within 15 minutes after PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry confirmed the development. The Chief Justice of the IHC claimed that he was acting with “restraint” and issued a threat to “summon” the prime minister in the event that the Islamabad police chief failed to appear in court. Come to court and explain to us why and in which case Imran was detained, Justice Farooq commanded.
A witness said shortly after Imran entered the gate of the IHC, contingents of paramilitary forces and armoured personnel carriers entered after him.The gate was blocked by the armoured vehicles while Khan was whisked away shortly after under heavy security, the witness added.The development comes on the heels of the military’s rejection of accusations Imran made against a serving senior intelligence officer. Imran had accused the officer of involvement in the assassination attempt against him in Wazirabad. Imran doubled down on the allegations in a video message today.
The former premier’s detention also follows several unsuccessful attempts, including a police raid at his residence in Lahore’s Zaman Park, to arrest him which he had managed to evade successfully.PTI Vice President Fawad Chaudhry tweeted that the IHC has been “occupied by the Rangers” and lawyers “are being subjected to torture”.