The tense situation across Pakistan after Imran Khan’s arrest continues for the second week. For the past 09 days, since Khan got arrested from the premises of Islamabad High Court, the federal & military leadership and PTI seem to be standing against each other.
Number of PTI leaders to quit the party amid May 9 violence increases to SIX
On Thursday, Malik Amin Aslam, Dr Muhammad Amjad and Dr Imran Ali Shah announced to part ways with PTI.
Earlier, on Wednesday, former federal minister Aamer Mehmood Kiani, MNA Mahmood Baqi Moulvi and MPA Dr Sanjay Gangwani left the Imran Khan-led party.
Mr Aslam and Dr Amjad said that it became impossible to remain a part of PTI after May 9 incidents.
Imran says he expects to be re-arrested as police have surrounded his residency
While speaking to Deutsche Welle, Imran said police surrounded his residence last night. Imran said that he expects to be re-arrested, stating “It could happen any time”.
DW EXCLUSIVE: Pakistan's former PM Imran Khan is in a standoff with authorities who have surrounded his house. In his first interview since a police deadline expired, Khan told DW an "unprecedented crackdown is taking place." pic.twitter.com/2reiqfPB41
— DW Asia (@dw_hotspotasia) May 18, 2023
HRCP condemns re-arrest of PTI leaders who were earlier released by courts
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned re-arresting PTI leaders. HRCP Tweeted that previous governments, including PTI, used these tactics to suppress opposition.
HRCP condemns the rearrest of PTI leaders who had been released earlier by the courts. This tactic has been used by previous governments, including the PTI, to bully opposition leaders into submission. 1/2
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) May 18, 2023
Young leaders will take place of those who resigned from PTI
PTI leader Babar Awan said that those who resigned from the party would be replaced by “young leadership”. He added that in this most difficult period, hundreds of brave young leaders have emerged in Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf.
خارزارِ سیاست میں لیڈر مزاحمت سے بنتے ہیں۔ سیاسی جدوجہد اتار چڑھاؤ کا نام ہے۔ مشکل ترین دور میں تحریکِ انصاف میں سینکڑوں دلیر نوجوان لیڈر ابھرے۔ جو حضرات چلے گئے اُن کی جگہ بھی نوجوان قیادت آئے گی۔
امیدِ صبحِ جمال رکھنا! خیال رکھنا!— Babar Awan (@BabarAwanPK) May 18, 2023
Imran believes current scenario is an attempt to stop PTI to form next govt
In his Tweet, the PTI Chief said that senior leaders like Shireen Mazari got rearrested even after getting bail and taken to another jail. He added that, till now, 7500 PTI workers were arrested and most of them are not presented before the courts. Imran claimed that the recent situation is an attempt to stop his party from forming the next government.
Our democracy, our judiciary, our constitution and the rule of law has been made a complete mockery by the current fascist set up . Like our other leaders , Shireen Mazari after getting bail was rearrested and taken to another jail . 7500 of our workers have been arrested with…
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 17, 2023
IHC orders to release former foreign minister & PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi
The IHC judge directed to release Shah Mehmood Qureshi shortly after hearing arguments from both sides. The court also declared the 3 MPO (power to arrest and detain suspected persons) null and void.