Imran arrested in 7 new cases linked to PTI protests

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founding chairman Imran Khan has been arrested in seven new cases related to the party’s recent protests.

The former prime minister was presented before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge at Adiala Jail, where he has been incarcerated for months. This followed the completion of his six-day physical remand in a separate case concerning PTI’s September 28 protest in Rawalpindi.

The prosecution did not seek an extension of the physical remand. The case, registered at the New Town Police Station, accuses Khan of inciting a protest that led to violent incidents in the city.

During the hearing, the Pindi police arrested Imran Khan in connection with new cases related to PTI protests staged on October 5 and November 24, as well as another case linked to the Rawalpindi demonstration. However, the prosecution did not request physical custody of the former premier in these new cases.

ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah subsequently sent Imran Khan on judicial remand in all cases, including the newly registered ones. The cases involve allegations of calls for protests that resulted in violent clashes.

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants for former prime minister Imran Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, former president Arif Alvi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and 92 others in connection with recent protests in the federal capital.

Multiple cases were filed in the aftermath of the protests. One such case registered at Kohsar Police Station on November 26, accuses the PTI leadership of inciting violence and using government employees for their purposes.

The FIR lists 96 suspects, including Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, Arif Alvi, former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser, Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub, and several PTI leaders such as Shoaib Shaheen, Zartaj Gul, and Faisal Javed.

Charges against them include rioting, abetment, assaulting public servants, promoting enmity, attempted murder, and acts of terrorism under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act of 2024. The FIR alleges that the protesters trapped locals in their homes and spread fear and panic. The ATC accepted the police request and issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the 96 suspects.