Pakistan: PTI Calls On Supporters To Take To Streets; Imran Khan To Remain In Custody For Four To Five Days

Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan who was arrested by Pakistani Rangers from the Islamabad High Court premises is likely to remain in custody for four to five days.

He was arrested by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) — Pakistan's anti-corruption watchdog — where he is accussed of receiving billions from a real estate firm to legalise laundered money that the UK returned to Pakistan during the previous PTI government.

His arrest resulted in widespread violence in different parts of the country. PTI supporters have attacked several military installations across the country, including the General Headquarters of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Imran Khan's political party has asked his supporters to take the streets. "Imran Khan's arrest is equivalent to shutting down the judiciary," said Fawad Chaudhry, PTI spokesperson.

In Karachi and Lahore, police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse Khan supporters, and protesters blocked roads in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar.

“We will do our best to keep him in custody for at least four to five days,” the source added.

The NAB has justified his arrest saying that, "The arrest has been made after fulfilling the lawful procedures of inquiry and investigation conducted by NAB".

“NAB arrested former prime minister Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The case relates to illegal acquisition of land and construction for Al-Qadir University involving unlawful benefit given in recovery of proceeds (190 million pounds) through National Crime Agency, UK,” a statement released by NAB said.

The statement added that, during the process of inquiry/investigation, several notices were issued to Mr Khan and his wife as they were the trustees of Al-Qadir Trust. “However, none of the call-up notices was responded to by the former prime minister or his wife”.