Pakistan: 19 detained for protesting over former PM Imran Khan's arrest

At least 19 Pakistan TehreekeInsaaf PTI supporters protesting against the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan were arrested by the police in Karachi ARY News reportedIn a statement the police said they have arrested 19 PTI workers and supporters from across Karachi protesting the arrest of Imran KhanThe police said five party supporters were arrested outside Karachi Press Club 11 from District Malir five from Sharafi Goth six from Quaidabad and three from North Nazimabad BlockKEarlier on Saturday PTI called for peaceful protests in Pakistan within the ambit of the law and Constitution after the arrest of the partys chairman Imran Khan Pakistanbased Dawn reportedThis comes after a Pakistan district and sessions court on Saturday sentenced Imran Khan to three years in prison in the Toshakhana case acirciquestiquest for illegally selling state gifts acirciquestiquest and has disqualified from politics for a period of five years local media reportedThe PTI said it started taking action as per Imran Khans instructions for its organisation and political plan of action adding that the entire nation had rejected the verdict of the sessions courtPTI supporters including lawyers protested Imran Khans arrest outside his Zaman Park residence in LahoreAdditional District and Sessions Judge ADSJ Humayun Dilawar in a short order said The court finds its more than convincing that the complainant ECP had provided confidenceinspiring wellknitted and corroborated evidence and so the charge against the accused has successfully been proven that the accused has committed offence of corrupt practices by making and publishing false statementsdeclaration in respect of assets acquired by way of gifts from Toshakhana and disposed of during years 20182019 and 20192020 according to DawnMeanwhile Imran Khans arrest came approximately three months after his first arrest on May 9 when he was arrested in Islamabad in the AlQadir Trust caseHis arrest on May 9 sparked widespread violence and important military installations came under attack In May PTI leaders and workers took to the streets to hold protests against his arrestAfter the courts verdict Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI on Saturday approached Lahore High Court against the party chairman Imran Khans arrest in the Toshakhana case Pakistanbased ARY News reported PTI lawyer Umair Niazi has filed the petition on behalf of the PTI chairman according to the news reportFollowing his arrest and being sentenced to three years in prison and disqualified from politics for five years a video message of the former prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan has surfaced on social media in which he said that his arrest was expectedIn the video which he recorded before his arrest Imran Khan said that when his video message would reach everyone PTI workers and supporters he would be arrestedMy arrest was expected and I recorded this message before my arrest It is one more step in fulfilling London Plan but I want my party workers to remain peaceful steadfast and strongThe Pakistan TehreekeInsaf PTI Chairman took to his official Twitter handle and posted a video asking his supporters not to sit silent after his arrestBy the time this video message will reach you I would be arrested and in Jailwhich is why I have a requestan appeal to all of you is that you should not sit at home in silence These earnest efforts of mine are not for me but for my people my community for you PTI supportersI am doing it for you I am doing it for the good fortune of your children Imran Khan said in his videoIf you will not stand for your rights you will live a life of slaveryand mind you slaves do not have a life he addedThe Toshakhana case filed by ruling party lawmakers is based on a criminal complaint filed by the ECP The case alleges that Imran Khan had deliberately concealed details of the gifts he retained from the Toshakhana during his tenure as Pakistan Prime Minister and proceeds from their reported sales the report saidAccording to Toshakhana rules gifts and other materials received by persons to whom these rules are applicable shall be reported to the cabinet division Imran Khan has faced a number of legal issues over his retention of presents and it resulted in his disqualification by the ECPANI