Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan arrested, aides call for nationwide protest

May 9 (Reuters) – Pakistan’s anti-transplantation watchdog arrested former Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday.

Footage of the arrest showed a number of guards in riot gear whisking Khan away in a van as Khan’s party called for protests across the country.

“Pakistan people, now is the time to save your country. You have no other chance.”

The arrests come at a time when ordinary Pakistanis are reeling from the worst economic crisis in decades, record high inflation and growing anemia.

The International Monetary Fund relief package is months behind with foreign exchange reserves barely enough to cover a month’s worth of imports.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaura told reporters that Khan was arrested “despite notice” because he did not appear before the National Accountability Board (NAB).

The NAB issued an arrest warrant for Khan on May 1, according to an order seen by Reuters. “Khan has been accused of corruption and corruption,” it said.

The corruption case is one of more than 100 cases filed against Khan since a parliamentary vote last April ousted him from power. He served his four years out of his five-year term.

Most likely, Khan will be barred from holding public office if convicted, and national elections are due in November.

An earlier attempt to arrest Khan from his home in Lahore sparked violent clashes between his supporters and law enforcement officials.

Political infighting is common in Pakistan, where the prime minister has yet to complete his term and the military has ruled for nearly half of the country’s history.

Reported by Shivam Patel, New Delhi.Edited by Andrew Havens

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