A high alert has been sounded in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as apprehensions rise that former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s supporters may take to the streets following the court’s verdict in the Toshakhana case, which led to his arrest. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman was pronounced guilty in a case related to the sale of expensive state gifts during his tenure as Prime Minister. After the verdict, Imran Khan was arrested from his Zaman Park residence.
Imran Khan has also been sentenced to three years in jail, and this is not the first time he has faced arrest. In May 2023, his previous arrest in Islamabad resulted in widespread protests and violence across the country.
To maintain law and order, the police have directed all officers to remain in their respective areas, and security checks have been intensified in all parts of the federal capital. Additionally, a security alert has been issued within and outside Adiala jail, where Imran Khan is expected to be taken after his arrest in Lahore. For security reasons, his current location remains undisclosed.
The Toshakhana case involves the illegal sale of valuable state gifts during Imran Khan’s term as Prime Minister. In response to the verdict, a district and sessions court sentenced him to three years in prison and disqualified him from politics for five years. The court also imposed a fine of PKR 100,000 on the PTI chief.
In a pre-recorded statement, Imran Khan urged his supporters to protest peacefully. However, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, a prominent member of the PTI, criticized the court’s verdict, calling it “politically motivated” and “state-sanctioned.” He asserted that the PTI would exercise its right to challenge the decision through the higher judiciary.
As the situation remains tense, authorities continue to closely monitor developments and ensure the safety of the public. The apprehensions of potential protests by Imran Khan’s supporters have necessitated a high alert in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The repercussions of this verdict are being closely watched by the nation, and the political landscape may see significant shifts in the days to come.