During an address to the nation on Wednesday, Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif defended the legality of the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) decision to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan.
Sharif highlighted that Khan was detained in pursuance of corruption charges in the Al Qadir Trust case, in which he is accused of misappropriating $208 million.
Similarly, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal said on the same day that the government was not involved in the arrest, which he clarified was “not motivated under any political victimisation.” He said that the NAB independently decided to arrest Khan.
Sharif Warns Protestors
PM Sharif further warned that the “terrorist and anti-state elements” protesting and damaging public property will be “dealt in with iron hands.”
A woman is being dragged and taken away by security forces in Pakistan - She was protesting against Imran Khan’s arrest. pic.twitter.com/4FvgIigVky
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) May 11, 2023
Speaking about the large-scale PTI-led protests that have broken out across Pakistan, Sharif added, “Safeguarding the motherland and its ideology is more precious than their lives. We will not let their nefarious designs succeed.”
Sharif also recalled that Khan’s government had sent several opposition leaders, who are current lawmakers, to jail on false charges. For instance, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah was imprisoned for carrying 16 kilograms of heroin, while PM Sharif and his family were attacked “in the pursuance of blind vengeance.”
Army Deployed as Protests Continue
As protests grew increasingly agitated across the country, causing at least five deaths and over 1,400 arrests, the government deployed the army to maintain law and order.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) condemned the widespread violence in Pakistan, which broke out after Imran Khan was arrested on Monday.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Army’s media wing said that the protests marked a “black chapter” in the country’s history, as the PTI activists were targeting the military and its property. The release highlighted that while the security forces had exercised restraint, the “nefarious” politically motivated actions were “thwarted.”
The army also warned those looking to force Pakistan into a “civil war.”
Meanwhile, PTI has denied any involvement in the protests.
After arresting (read: abducting) former PM Imran Khan, the Pakistan Rangers, a paramilitary force, are now harassing Khan supporters. Take a look:pic.twitter.com/rRrdV0WzRA
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) May 10, 2023
Khan Indicted in Toshakhana Case
A day after his arrest from outside the Islamabad High Court, Khan was indicted in the Toshakhana case, in which he was accused of selling gifts received as the head of state during his tenure.
In this regard, a court confirmed that authorities could keep Khan in custody for eight more days, during which he will be housed in a police guesthouse in Islamabad.
Amid widespread discontent with Khan’s arrest, Pakistani authorities have also detained several other PTI leaders for “inciting violent protests.” This includes former Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, former Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry, and PTI lawmaker Asad Umar.