Security forces in Pakistan detained former Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday amid ongoing controversy surrounding an alleged corruption case. The detention came as the PTI, Khan’s political party, faced pressure from authorities while the country’s political climate remained highly charged. Khan himself claimed through allies that the arrest was meant to intimidate him, and supporters warned of potential protests as the situation unfolded in Islamabad.
Khan was taken into custody by Pakistani security personnel in front of the Supreme Court complex in Islamabad, according to Faisal Chaudhri, a vice president of PTI. In a rapid response, Khan’s associates circulated messages suggesting the court was effectively surrounded by guards and that lawyers were being harassed. The communications amplified concerns about the conduct of the arrest and the treatment of political activists in the capital.
Azhar Mashwani, a PTI member, alleged that Khan had been abducted and called for nationwide demonstrations. He urged supporters to mobilize across cities to express solidarity with the former prime minister and to protest the arrest as part of what he described as a broader political crackdown.
Police authorities in Islamabad stated they heightened security in the capital to prevent unrest and insisted that no one was tortured during the operation. They confirmed that security forces surrounded the vehicle Khan was traveling in at the moment of arrest and that the confrontation occurred in a controlled manner within the legal framework established for the case.
illegal enrichment
Khan was arrested in connection with a case alleging illegal enrichment linked to property deals and the transfer of funds connected with Al Qadir University. The allegations relate to a broader pattern of financial arrangements involving land and money that reportedly traveled between Pakistan and the United Kingdom through multiple intermediaries, including a prominent Pakistani businessman.
Officials have indicated that Khan could face formal charges in the coming days focused on illicit enrichment and the possible withholding of gifts and benefits received during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. The allegations are part of the Toshakhana case, which has attracted sustained media attention and political debate in Pakistan. Khan was previously disqualified from holding public office following a constitutional review in October.
From a parliamentary perspective, the confrontation with Khan followed a turbulent period that culminated in October when a no confidence motion led to his removal. The Supreme Court later upheld the decision to dissolve Parliament and call snap elections after lawmakers refused to vote on the matter. In November that year, Khan survived an assassination attempt during a protest against the then-new government led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The incident further intensified political divisions and raised questions about stability and accountability in the country.