Wednesday May 10, 2023
Following the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) premises, party leader Fawad Chaudhry's reaction created quite a stir.
On Tuesday, the PTI chief traveled to the federal capital for an appearance at the IHC to seek extension of bail in the FIR registered against him for making statements against state institutions, several PTI leaders, including Fawad Chaudhry and his brother Faisal Chaudhry Advocate, were present in courtroom, as well as many media outlets.
Khan had earlier secured bail in seven cases from an anti-terrorism court till May 23.
Given this, PTI leaders expected Khan to be granted an extension of his two remaining bails.
However, to the shock of probably the entire country, while the PTI chairman was getting his biometrics done, he was arrested by the Rangers in connection with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) probe into the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Following the turn of events, advocate Faisal Chaudhry opened the window of the IHC and asked the lawyers present outside to protest.
The lawyers complied; However, Fawad was not at the crime scene.
According to a BBC report, Fawad grabbed his brother's hand and was heard saying, “Imran phharya gaya ay, chal aaja [Irman Khan has been arrested. Lets go.]"
He then returned and sat on a chair in the courtroom, British media reported.
It is to be noted that while protests broke out in various cities across the country following Khan's arrest, the IHC late on Tuesday declared the arrest lawful.
The PTI chief is scheduled to appear before the court today for a hearing in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
What is the case of Al-Qadir Trust?
The former prime minister, along with his wife Bushra Bibi and other PTI leaders, is facing a NAB investigation related to a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon that allegedly caused a loss of £190 million to the exchequer.
According to the indictment, Khan and the other accused allegedly modified Rs 50 billion - £190 million at the time - sent by Britain's National Crime Agency (NCA) to the government.
They are also accused of receiving undue benefit in the form of more than 458 kanals of land in Mouza Bakrala, Sohawa, to establish Al Qadir University.
