The Islamabad High Court declared that PTI chief Imran Khan was lawfully arrested from the premises of the court, hours after reserving its verdict in the case, on Tuesday.
The verdict was read out by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, who also issued notices to interior secretary and inspector-general of Islamabad police for a contempt of court.
The judge also issued instructions to the court's registrar to file an FIR, and submit a report in this regard by May 16.
Earlier today, Imran was arrested by Rangers in the Al-Qadir Trust case. He was taken into custody by a heavy force of paramilitary Rangers from the premises of the IHC courtroom where he had appeared today (May 9) to secure bail before arrest in multiple FIRs registered against him.
According to videos circulating on social media, Khan was sitting in the diary section of the high court to get his biometric verification done, when armed Rangers personnel forcibly entered the room and took him away. At least fifty uniformed personnel in riot gear could be seen surrounding the former premier as they forced him to enter a black vehicle with signals jamming equipment installed on it.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan confirmed the arrest and stated that "the situation is under control". NAB officials had warrants for his arrest, the IGP added.
Arrest warrant of Imran Khan
While expressing concern over the unexpected arrest, IHC chief justice Amir Farooqi said that they should be informed in what case Imran Khan has been arrested. "Whatever happened on the court premises caused a law and order situation," he added.
"Who is behind all that? I will initiate action against the prime minister and ministers," the chief justice asserted.
An investigation is underway by the NAB against former prime minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other PTI figures in relation to a deal the PTI government made with a real estate mogul that reportedly cost the national exchequer £190 million.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) of Britain reportedly sent the government Rs 50 billion (£190 million at the time), according to the charges against Khan and the other suspects.
Additionally, they are charged with receiving illegal benefits in the form of more than 458 kanals of land in Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa, for the construction of Al Qadir University.
