RAWALPINDI: Imran Khan, the incarcerated founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has been arrested in connection with seven fresh cases related to the party’s recent protests in the federal capital.
The former prime minister was presented before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) judge at Adiala Jail after completing a six-day physical remand in a separate case tied to PTI’s September 28 protest in Rawalpindi. The prosecution did not request an extension of the remand in this case.
The new cases, filed at various police stations, accuse Khan of inciting protests that led to violent clashes in Rawalpindi. During the hearing, Rawalpindi police arrested him on charges linked to PTI’s protests on October 5 and November 24, as well as a separate case connected to the September demonstration.
Despite the new arrests, the prosecution did not request Khan’s physical custody. As a result, ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah placed Khan under judicial remand for all the cases, including the new ones.
The fresh cases involve accusations that Khan instigated protests that resulted in violent incidents. At least three Rangers personnel and two police officers were martyred during the November protest, and PTI claims that 20 of its members lost their lives in the violence.
The protest came to an abrupt halt when authorities launched a late-night crackdown on PTI workers and leaders at Islamabad’s D-Chowk. Over 1,000 PTI workers, including more than three dozen Afghan nationals, were arrested, with law enforcement officials also recovering tear gas and other ammunition.
