Imran Khan: Why turned into the previous Pakistan PM arrested?

Imran Khan, Pakistan’s hugely popular former high minister, turned into arrested on Tuesday on corruption charges – a second he had efficiently averted for several months.

preceding tries had resulted in near misses. In March, a court order to detain him turned into thwarted via pitched battles among his supporters and police outdoor his domestic in Lahore.

His arrest, which passed off while he become in court docket in the capital Islamabad, became no less dramatic. The 70-year-antique is barely seen among a swarm of officials in revolt gear as they escort him out of doors and bundle him right into a car.

Mr Khan has faced dozens of prices, from corruption to sedition, on account that he was ousted after dropping a confidence vote ultimate yr. So his arrest isn’t always unexpected.

however it has enraged his supporters or even shocked a country that was hoping for an quit to the political stand-off that has driven Pakistan to the threshold.

Why was Khan arrested?

Pakistan’s authorities says he become taken into a custody for not co-working with government in an ongoing corruption research.

The case alleges that Mr Khan, at the same time as he become the PM, received land as a bribe in exchange for political favours. It revolves round an research performed via Britain’s countrywide Crime corporation into “laundered” money via Pakistan’s biggest property rich person Malik Riaz Hussain.

Mr Hussain allegedly gave the land to the Al-Qadir trust, which become set up through Mr Khan’s 1/3 wife, Bushra Bibi. Mr Khan, who denied the expenses, stated that the land have been donated for charitable functions.

Mr Hussain denied laundering cash. however his role at the query of land for favours is not recognized – he regarded earlier than Pakistan’s country wide duty Bureau investigators earlier this yr and recorded a announcement inside the Al-Qadir believe case, but it has no longer been made public or reported inside the media.

on account that his arrest Mr Khan has been indicted in every other graft case. This one alleges he did no longer reveal cash he earned by means of selling presents he had received on overseas visits as PM. A listening to in this example noticed prices pressed for the primary time against Mr Khan on Wednesday and he pleaded now not responsible.
Analysts agree with that now that he’s in custody, courts would possibly indict him in a series of cases – a destiny he has repeatedly prevented by means of both lacking the appointment, or acting in higher courts, closely guarded, simplest to apply for protective bail. He was, in truth, in courtroom on Tuesday to searching for defensive bail in opposition to arrest while he became finally whisked off into custody.

Mr Khan himself appeared to were prepared for it. After he become detained, he released a video that had been recorded earlier, saying it turned into likely he might be arrested by the time his supporters saw the message.

however it is possible neither he nor his legal professionals expected him to be arrested at the court docket premises due to the fact Mr Khan has seemed in court for bail before. however this time the executors of the warrant had been now not police, but a paramilitary pressure, the Punjab Rangers.

Leaders and supporters of Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party argue this is evidence of the army’s involvement. they are saying the arrest has little to do with corruption charges and everything to do with Mr Khan’s ongoing public battle with the military. He has accused the navy and the undercover agent agency, the Inter-service Intelligence (ISI), of conspiring to assassinate him – he survived a shooting remaining year.

The united states of america’s generals, who’ve seized power 3 times on account that Pakistan’s independence in 1947, have long performed a outstanding function in politics. Mr Khan too turned into believed to have their help as he rose to power. but the privilege of his start, his repute born of cricketing glory, and his air of mystery drove his recognition a long way higher than whatever Pakistan has visible in recent years.
when he become ousted as PM, many believed it became as plenty the end result of his bad tune record in office, as it become a falling out with the navy. however he quick went on the offensive, criticising the military and embracing a populist narrative that resonated with humans. And he did this loudly, holding rallies and marches that drew big crowds and campaigning for neighborhood elections, maximum of which his party went directly to win.

This persevered for months while Mr Khan managed to avoid arrest. Then he publicly accused an intelligence official of looking to assassinate him. Infuriated army officials denied the rate, and simply the day earlier than his arrest, warned him now not to repeat it.

Now, with the military’s gloves off, Mr Khan’s supporters say the army has crossed a “red line” – that of the former PM himself. And as public anger turns against the navy, Pakistan is witnessing an extraordinary moment.

In a assertion the navy stated 9 may additionally would be remembered as “a dark chapter” and warned of an “extreme reaction” if protesters finished more assaults on military and different kingdom installations.

what’s at stake now?

The uncertainty surrounding Mr Khan has paralysed Pakistan for months.

The nuclear-armed state of 231 million people is already battling soaring food prices, a long-running economic crisis and extremist violence. Talks with the IMF over a much-needed bailout have stalled, and elections, due this year, are also caught in the political stalemate.

Analysts believe that Mr Khan’s arrest only adds to the growing instability and diminishes any chance of a resolution between the former PM and the establishment, be it the government or the army.

The 13-member coalition which is in power – led by Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif – says it has “nothing to do with the arrest”, which followed due process.

But others say Mr Khan’s arrest benefits the government because if he is found guilty, he would be disqualified from contesting elections, possibly for life.

Mr Khan’s rise to the top of Pakistani politics was almost as meteoric as his sporting career. He even managed to recast himself from a playboy cricketing icon into a pious politician as he sought the top job in the country.

But the army – which many believe had allied with him on his route to the PM’s chair, despite denials from both parties – now appears to be on the other side.

What that means for Mr Khan and Pakistan is still unclear because the country finds itself in uncharted waters.