WASHINGTON: The top diplomats of the United States and the United Kingdom together called on Tuesday for adherence to the “rule of law” in Pakistan after the former prime minister and Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s arrest triggered nationwide protests.
“We only want to make sure that whatever happens in the South Asian country, Pakistan, is consistent with the rule of law, with the constitution,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a joint news conference in Washington with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, speaking alongside Blinken, noted that Britain enjoyed “a longstanding and close relationship” with Commonwealth member Pakistan.
“We want to see peaceful democracy in that country. We want to see the rule of law adhered to,” Cleverly said.
Both declined to comment in further detail, with Cleverly saying he had not been fully briefed on the situation.
Khan, who was ousted last year as the civilian prime minister of the world’s fifth most populous nation, was arrested during a court appearance Tuesday in Islamabad on one of the myriad cases against him.
Supporters of Khan, who has been seeking a political comeback, took out vengeance against the military, which has long had a dominant position in Pakistani politics.
Khan in the past has alleged US involvement in removing him, claims that Washington strongly denies.
“As we have said before, the United States does not have a position on one political candidate or party versus another,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about the situation in Pakistan.
IHC declares Imran Khan’s arrest “legal”
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC), on Tuesday night, ruled that the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case was legal. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, who had initially questioned the arrest by Rangers from the court premises, announced the court’s verdict.
The IHC has issued notices to the Islamabad inspector general of police and the interior secretary for their alleged contempt of court. The chief justice has directed the high court registrar to register a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the arrest, which includes incidents of manhandling lawyers near the court and damage to the court building. The registrar has been instructed to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit a report by May 16.
Imran Khan, who has been facing numerous pending cases since his removal from office last year, was arrested inside the high court premises while appearing before the court in two cases. This arrest comes after months of political crisis and follows the military’s criticism of Khan for accusing a senior officer of involvement in a plot to kill him.
In response to Khan’s arrest, PTI supporters gathered and blocked roads in several cities across the country, including Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi. These protests resulted in injuries to several individuals and damage to public property.
If convicted, Imran Khan could be barred from holding public office, which would exclude him from participating in the upcoming elections scheduled for later this year.
IHC hears Imran Khan’s arrest case
During today’s hearing at the IHC, Chief Justice Farooq took notice of the arrest and summoned the Islamabad inspector general of police and the interior secretary within 15 minutes. He also called upon the additional attorney general to appear before the court and investigate the person responsible for the arrest.
The court also summoned the Director General of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the prosecutor general of the anti-graft body. The NAB deputy prosecutor general informed the court that the arrest warrant for Khan had been issued on May 1 and that the arrest was lawful.
