Former Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan has been arrested at his home in Lahore after being convicted in an asset concealment case. This is the second time this year that the popular opposition leader has been detained. Khan has been sentenced to three years in prison, a conviction that could potentially bar him from participating in politics as individuals with criminal records are not allowed to hold or run for public office.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by Khan, has condemned the ruling and plans to challenge the decision in a superior court. While a superior court has the power to suspend the conviction, it is ultimately the country’s election body that can disqualify Khan from politics. The arrest warrant was issued by an Islamabad court, and Khan was swiftly taken from his home to the capital city by the police. It remains unclear where he is being taken.
Since being ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in April 2022, Khan has faced over 150 legal cases, including charges of corruption, terrorism, and inciting violence during protests. Despite his removal from office, Khan remains a prominent figure in the opposition. A spokesperson for PTI described the asset concealment trial as the “worst in history and tantamount to the murder of justice.”
Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb denied that Khan’s arrest was related to the upcoming elections in Pakistan. She stated that Khan had been given ample opportunities to defend himself against the asset concealment charges but instead used the time to delay the court proceedings. Aurangzeb accused Khan of engaging in illegal practices, corruption, concealing assets, and falsely declaring wealth in tax returns.
In response to Khan’s conviction and arrest, a group of pro-Khan lawyers gathered outside his home in Lahore, protesting the decision. Pakistan has a history of former prime ministers being arrested, as well as interventions by the powerful military. Khan is now the seventh former prime minister to be arrested in the country. Examples of previous arrests include Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who was arrested and hanged in 1979, and Nawaz Sharif, the brother of the current prime minister, who has been arrested multiple times on corruption charges.
This case adds to the political turmoil in Pakistan, as the country prepares for upcoming elections. Khan’s arrest and potential disqualification from politics could significantly impact the political landscape, as he is a popular figure and leader of a major opposition party. The PTI’s challenge to the court’s decision will be closely watched as it unfolds in the superior court, with implications for Khan’s political future and the broader political climate in Pakistan.
Original Story at www.michiganradio.org – 2023-08-05 09:27:00
Comments are closed.