Angry Pakistani celebs take to social media following Khan's arrest
Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, has been arrested by paramilitary officers outside the High Court in Islamabad. Khan was appearing in court on corruption charges that he claims are politically motivated. Reports state that he was detained by forces in armoured personnel carriers after entering the court compound.
Many Pakistani celebrities have come out in support of Khan, angered by the arrest. Hasan Raheem, Atiqa Odho, Ahmed Ali Butt and Zara Peerzada are a few to name who are enraged by the way things have played out.
In a series of tweets, singer Annie Khalid has spoken up for Khan, urging people to leave their homes to lend support to the former premier of Pakistan. "Please get out of your homes guys. He’s in jail for us. His entire career of political struggle comes down to today. He’s telling us to fight for our constitutional rights, please get out there and protest!" she wrote.
Khalid also sent ill wishes to the "oppressors" who arrested Khan, while criticizing the establishment.
Anoushey Ashraf angrily penned a note on her Instagram Story as well, stating, "One man against Rome. One man. If this video footage doesn't shake you to the core, you're already dead on the inside. Dear Allah, have mercy on Pakistan. Oh people of my country, never forget this black day. Absolute violation of power."
Actor Armeena Khan took to the microblogging site to share her disgust with the way events have transpired. "Absolute disgusting state of affairs and I stand with Imran Khan," she tweeted.
The actor was also appalled by the sheer amount of military personnel that was sent to arrest Khan. "Dozens in riot gear arresting a 70-year-old who can barely walk. For shame! Was this necessary? He said he was ready to go to jail if need be peacefully. Disgusting!" she shared.
Singer Qurutulain Baloch mourned the murder of democracy. "It’s official. We are no more a democracy," wrote Baloch in a tweet.
Khadijah Shah, the founder of Elan, also took to Twitter to share her anger. "Imran Khan was unconscious when they took him - they had hit him on the head, legs and doused him with pepper spray which shuts you down and constricts your air passages," she tweeted.
Furthermore, she urged others to stand up for the arrested leader. "Anger building!! Each one of you must stand up and be counted for today, there are no other chances," wrote Shah.
Celebrity publicist Frieha Altaf also shared her take. "Sick to my stomach to see Imran Khan arrested! I hope he remains safe. Prayers for his safe return," wrote Altaf.
Renowned star Adnan Siddiqui was also seen to be furious over the arrest. "Shameful and shocking to see a former PM being dragged like a petty criminal. Never in the history of our country were such scenes witnessed. Power has surely gone to the ruling dispensation’s head," he tweeted in anger.
Peerzada shared an image of herself on her Instagram Story, clasping her head in frustration. "An ex-PM has literally been kidnapped/arrested by the establishment from a constitutional court. I have no words. You can't make this up. I wish I was," she shared.
The iconic Meera Jee took to her Instagram Story to simply share a video of Khan's arrest.
Singers Hassan and Roshaan also shared their disgust over the sequence of events on their combined Instagram account. "They are right to be labelled fools. They've made a joke out of everything. Is this their father's nation?" read the Instagram Story.
Butt took to his Instagram Story to share the news, stating, "And so it begins."
Anchor Shafaat Ali took to Twitter to share the news with his followers. "Imran Khan arrested," wrote Ali in his tweet.
Raheem could not hold back his anger either. He took to Twitter to state, "The nation is not owned by their fathers" in an ambiguous, yet all-too-vivid jab.
Odho, a veteran actor, shared a video of the arrest while professing her anger alongside in her Instagram caption. "Imran Khan arrested while sitting inside the court," she penned. "Shameful! He was there to get bail but they used the moment to NAB him instead. Chief Justice should insist he's presented back in court to ensure his safety at once! Any citizen following the law and respecting the courts of Pakistan deserves security!"
Sana Faysal shared visuals of the arrest on her Instagram Story, labelling the day of the arrest a "black day."
Talented actor Maya Ali also seemed to be in agreement. She took to her Instagram Story as well, sharing a video of the arrest. "Black day for the nation, for Pakistan," she wrote. "This is ridiculous to see our Captain - our one and only Prime Minister - in their hands like this. How far will you fall?"
Khan, who was ousted as Prime Minister in April of the previous year, has been campaigning for early elections since then. The arrest took place in the Al-Qadir Trust case, with Khan being taken into custody by Rangers personnel from the Islamabad High Court, where he had gone to seek bail in multiple FIRs (First Information Reports) filed against him.
The former Prime Minister was taken away in a black vigo by the law enforcement agency, and the Inspector General of Police confirmed the development, stating that the situation is under control. The arrest warrants for Khan were issued on May 1 by the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The Al-Qadir Trust case involves Khan, his wife Bushra Bibi, and other leaders of his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). They are facing a NAB inquiry regarding a settlement between the PTI government and a property tycoon, which allegedly caused a loss of 190 million pounds to the national exchequer.
The charges claim that Khan and the other accused improperly adjusted Rs50 billion (equivalent to 190 million pounds at the time) sent by Britain's National Crime Agency to the government. They are also accused of receiving undue benefits in the form of over 458 kanals of land to establish Al Qadir University.