RAWALPINDI: Jailed Pakistan former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested on Tuesday in connection to the attack on Pakistan Army headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on May 9, 2023, a day after his release warrant was issued in the cipher case.
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Rawalpindi had summoned Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who is already in custody on charges of corruption. However, due to security concerns, he attended the court proceedings via video link as he could not be brought to the court from Adiala jail.
During the hearing, officials from the RA Bazar Police Station requested the physical remand of Imran Khan in connection with the May 9 cases. However, ATC Judge Malik Aijaz Asif rejected the request and directed the police to interrogate Imran Khan in Adiala prison.
Qureshi Under Arrest in GHQ Attack
This development follows the recent arrest of PTI senior leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi in connection with the May 9 cases after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a corruption case. Qureshi was sent to Adiala jail on a 14-day remand in connection with the May 9 incidents, including the attack on GHQ on December 28, 2023.
Initially arrested in a GHQ attack reference from Adiala Jail, Qureshi later faced additional charges related to violent May 9 protests. Last year in May, violence erupted as alleged supporters and workers of Imran Khan attacked and ransacked military installations, including GHQ, protesting against the arrest of the party chief in a corruption case.
Following the May 9 mayhem, dozens of PTI leaders and workers were arrested, and some leaders distanced themselves from Khan, attributing the riots to what they perceived as the former premier’s confrontational politics.
