ER Editor: Imran Khan’s arrest has been declared illegal, the subject of the Zerohedge piece below. Today, Friday May 12, Khan has a morning court appearance ‘for a hearing on his petition challenging the anti-corruption action against him, on orders of the top court’ (Reuters).
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This from yesterday by The Cradle — Pakistan rounds up Imran Khan’s party leaders as protests turn deadly Looking forward and some context:
Khan’s arrest came just a few months before crucial elections in November, where many expect the ousted premier to win the largest democratic mandate ever secured by any politician in the 75-year history of Pakistan.
The former cricket star was ousted from the government last year in aUS-backed parliamentary coup that saw Shehbaz Sharif – a protégé of the Sharif business dynasty that has governed Pakistan for much of the previous three decades – come to power.
Since his ousting, he has been arrested, charged with “terrorism,” banned from running for office, and even survived an assassination attempt.
His latest arrest is purportedly connected to the Al-Qadir Trust case, which revolves around allegations of fraud. Separately, Khan was indicted by a Pakistani court in an unrelated case on Wednesday for allegedly selling state gifts during his time in office between 2018 and 2022.
Khan has had over 100 corruption cases registered against him since his ouster in April 2022. In most of these, he faces being barred from holding public office if convicted.
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Readers may also be interested in this by Mahboob Khawaja via Global Research —
Pakistan Goes to Anarchy and Self-Destruction
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Pakistan Top Court Orders Immediate Release Of Imran Khan, Declares Arrest Illegal
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has ruled that the arrest of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was illegal and has ordered his immediate release, following two days of deadly protests and spreading unrest, which has pitted his supporters against the miliary and security services.
Khan was taken into custody when he appeared in the Islamabad High Court Tuesday, and was filmed being whisked away in an armored vehicle by dozens of anti-corruption task force agents dressed in Swat gear. The scene sparked outrage, and was interpreted by his opposition Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) as a political ploy to block him from challenging Shahbaz Sharif. Top military commanders have also come out against Khan. (ER: The country is run by the military it would seem from other analyses.)
King Khan in Supreme Court pic.twitter.com/LkLcZkcEdc
— Virk Shahzaib (@VirkSh786) May 11, 2023
By Tuesday the army had deployed to the streets of the capital of Islamabad, after protesting mobs began raiding military buildings and bases. A national radio building was also burned to the ground.
The BBC on Thursday has confirmed:
The court ordered Mr Khan’s immediate release. His lawyers had argued that his detention from court premises in Islamabad on Tuesday was unlawful.
At least 10 people have been killed and 2,000 arrested as violent protests have swept the country since he was held.
When Khan was taken into custody, he was attending a court hearing related to an Al-Qadir Trust corruption hearing. Khan heads the trust with his wife, and there’s an ongoing probe over billions lost in a ‘bad deal’ which was made.
Since the overnight hours, a sense of calm may have begun to return to the capital amid a heavy military presence…
Pakistan Army flag march in twin cities. #islamabad #rawalpindi pic.twitter.com/7AZJaCUTxz
— Islamabad Updates (@IslamabadViews) May 11, 2023
developing…
Source
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