“The party has given a call to immediately start protests across Pakistan,” a PTI leader said.

New Delhi:

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested today just as he was entering the Islamabad High Court for a hearing in a corruption case. Mr Khan was taken into custody from the court premises by paramilitary forces. Mr Khan’s party leaders have alleged that the police entered the court and dragged him outside to arrest him.

A video showing a swarm of paramilitary personnel surrounding Imran Khan and whisking him away to a vehicle has gone viral on social media. Imran Khan’s party also shared the video, alleging he was “badly pushed”.

“They have badly pushed injured (sic) Imran Khan. Pakistan’s people, this is the time to save your country. You won’t get any other opportunity,” it said.

They have badly pushed injured Imran Khan. Pakistan’s people, this is the time to save your country. You won’t get any other opportunity. pic.twitter.com/Glo5cmvksd

— PTI (@PTIofficial) May 9, 2023

Dawn newspaper reported that Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq has directed the Islamabad police chief, the interior ministry secretary, and the additional attorney general to appear before it within 15 minutes.

“The IHC CJ said that he was showing “restraint” and warned that he would “summon” the prime minister if the Islamabad police chief did not appear before the court,” Dawn further said.

“Come to court and tell us why Imran has been arrested and in which case,” the Pakistani newspaper quoted Justice Farooq.

Imran Khan’s aide and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry had earlier claimed that Islamabad High Court was occupied by Rangers, and lawyers were being subjected to torture. “Imran Khan’s car has been surrounded,” he  tweeted in Urdu.

PTI also tweeted a video of an injured man with blood stains on his shirt, claiming Imran Khan’s lawyer was “badly injured” inside the court premises of IHC. “Black day for our democracy and country,” it said.