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Imran Khan, who has been facing a slew of cases since his ouster through a no-trust vote in April last year, was arrested on Tuesday when he came from Lahore to appear before the Islamabad High Court.
The arrest of the cricketer-turned-politician comes a day after the powerful army accused him of levelling baseless allegations against a senior officer of the spy agency ISI.
Further, the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday night upheld Khan's arrest, saying that all legal formalities were fulfilled by the National Accountability Bureau, dashing the hopes of his party.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is seen seated in court as security enters to arrest him, in Islamabad, Pakistan May 9, 2023 (Credits: Reuters)
The court issued its reserved ruling, upsetting the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which claimed the arrest was illegal and that the IHC would rule in favour of party chief Khan, 70.
Currently, Khan has said he is facing over 140 cases related to terrorism, blasphemy, murder, violence, and inciting violence.
Khan's arrest has sparked massive protests across Pakistan by his supporters who stormed the army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the Corps Commander's residence in Lahore.
Meanwhile, the United States of America and the United Kingdom have expressed concerns over the latest developments in Pakistan. The United Nations has also slammed the government of the country over Khan's arrest.
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan block a highway, during a protest against his arrest, in Karachi, Pakistan May 9, 2023 (Credits: Reuters)
HERE'S HOW NATIONS REACTED TO IMRAN KHAN'S ARREST
US, UK ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT
The United States on Tuesday called for respect of democratic principles and the rule of law in Pakistan in the aftermath of the arrest of Imran Khan.
"We are aware of the arrest of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan. As we have said before, the United States does not have a position on one political candidate or party versus another," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at her daily news conference.
"We call for the respect of democratic principles and the rule of law around the world. So I would refer you to the Government of Pakistan for any further information on that," she said.
At a joint news conference with his British counterpart, James Cleverly, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said they want the rule of law to be followed in this South Asian country.
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan protest against his arrest in Pakistan, outside of the High Commission for Pakistan in London, Britain, May 9, 2023 (Credits: Reuters)
"I've seen the reports that you've alluded to and we just want to make sure that whatever happens in Pakistan is consistent with the rule of law with the constitution showing," Blinken told reporters at the joint news conference with his British counterpart Foreign Secretary Cleverly.
Cleverly said he has not yet had the opportunity to be briefed in detail on the developments in Pakistan.
"The UK has a long-standing and close relationship with Pakistan. We are Commonwealth partners. We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want to see the rule of law adhered to. I'm uncomfortable to speculate any further without having a detailed briefing on that," Cleverly said.
UNITED NATIONS
A top UN official Tuesday stressed the need to ensure all political figures in Pakistan are treated fairly and that due process is followed, hours after former prime minister Imran Khan was arrested from a court premises in a graft case.
"Regarding that, you are aware of our concerns of making sure that all of the political figures in Pakistan are treated fairly and of course that due process is followed. So we will monitor this process as it goes on to make sure that our concerns are being addressed," said Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
Haq was responding to a question on Khan’s arrest and the ensuing protests that have engulfed the country.
US, UK, CANADA ISSUE TRAVEL ADVISORY
Meanwhile, the United States, United Kingdom and Canada have issued new travel advisories for their citizens citing political unrest in the country.
The US embassy has announced a travel alert for its citizens in Pakistan. The latest advisory issued by the US embassy read, "The US Embassy is monitoring earlier reports of clashes between demonstrators and police in Islamabad and also sporadic demonstrations underway or being planned elsewhere throughout Pakistan."
The US embassy in Islamabad has also cancelled consular appointments for May 10 due to "political traffic disruptions and restrictions."
US citizens have been advised to exercise heightened vigilance and avoid locations with large crowds, as per the ARY News report.
The US embassy has also asked people to review personal security plans, carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement and be aware of their surroundings and monitor local media for updates.
The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advised their citizens to avoid all political demonstrations, large crowds of people and public events and be prepared to change plans as necessary. The UK FCDO also urged people to keep track of local news.
In line with UK and US, the Canadian government has asked its citizens and diplomatic staff to exercise a high degree of caution in Pakistan due to the "unpredictable security situation."
It further said, "There is a threat of terrorism, civil unrest, sectarian violence and kidnapping."
KHAN's SUPPORTERS STORM PAK ARMY HEADQUARTERS
Soon after Imran Khan's arrest, supporters of the former Pakistan prime minister on Tuesday stormed the Pakistan Army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi and the Corps Commander's residence in Lahore.
At several places, protesters burnt police vehicles and damaged public property.
Reports said at least six people were killed and over a dozen injured in different parts of the country in violent clashes between the security forces and the supporters of Imran Khan.
A man crosses a road past a barricade that was set afire by the supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan during a protest against his arrest, in Karachi, Pakistan, May 9, 2023 (Credits: Reuters)
Video footage showed that some PTI workers suffered bullet injuries in Lahore and Faisalabad during their clashes with the security agencies.
Khan's supporters also torched some vehicles of the law enforcement agencies in Faisalabad.
The protesters also set on fire a toll plaza on the Swat Motorway, according to footage shared by PTI.
For the first time, Khan's supporters smashed the main gate of the army's sprawling headquarters in Rawalpindi, where troops exercised restraint. The protesters chanted slogans against the establishment.
In Lahore, a large number of PTI workers stormed into the Corps Commander Lahore's residence and smashed the gate and window panes.
The army personnel present on duty there, however, did not try to stop the enraged protesters who surrounded them and chanted slogans against the ‘handlers’ of the PML-N-led government in the
