Protests broke out across the country on Tuesday, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. There were reports of angry mobs vandalising military cantonment areas in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Peshawar and other cities, causing major inconvenience to citizens.
The situation led to a series of different developments that caused major inconvenience to citizens. Here’s a glance at the key developments that all citizens should keep an eye on.
May 12, 2023
Imran secures protective bail in cases registered in Islamabad and Lahore
The Islamabad High Court granted protective bail to Imran in cases logged in Islamabad since May 9. Moreover, IHC also granted a transit bail to Imran for cases in Lahore High Court.
Islamabad High Court grants two-week bail to Imran Khan in all cases
After the hearing was resumed, Islamabad High Court granted a two-week bail to Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir trust case.
Imran Khan said an attempt would be made to arrest him, Tweeted Hammad Azhar
PTI leader Hammad Azhar said that Imran Khan has conveyed a message that an attempt would be made to arrest him. Hammad added that Imran has given a call for a peaceful protest.
IHC begins Imran Khan’s bail hearing
Islamabad High Court (IHC) has begun hearing PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s bail plea in the Al-Qadir Trust case. The hearing will continue after Namaz-e-Jumma break.
Section 144 imposed in Islamabad, police urges citizens to avoid IHC route
Traffic route conditions released ahead of Imran Khan’s arrival at Islamabad High Court
High-Security measures around IHC as Imran Khan arrives for hearing
Lahore High Court demands explanation on internet suspension
During the hearing of the petition, filed by Advocate Abuzar Salman Niazi, the Lahore High Court asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and (PTA) Federal Government to submit their replies regarding the suspension of the internet and other social media platforms.
Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh issued notices to the respondents. PTA and Federal Government have to submit their replies by May 22.
Digital payments drop by 50 per cent due to internet suspension
According to news reports, digital payments (mainly through Point-of-Sale) have experienced a drop of 50 per cent as the internet services got suspended right after the arrest of Imran Khan.
Internet services remained restricted, access to social media limited
Access to internet services and social media platforms, like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, remained restricted across Pakistan. The disruption has caused major inconvenience to online businesses.
PTI leader Yasmir Rashid arrested
PTI has claimed that senior party leader Yasmin Rashid has been arrested. However, the location of her arrest is not specified.
May 11, 2023
Supreme Court of Pakistan orders to immediately release Imran Khan
Chief Justice Pakistan has directed Imran Khan to approach the Islamabad High Court, from where he was arrested. CJP said that the arrest was unlawful and that it would be reversed.
The court also added that Imran will have to abide by whatever the IHC decides.
PTI claims that CM Gilgit Baltistan Khalid Khursheed is under house arrest in Islamabad
Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf has alleged in a Tweet that the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khalid Khurshid, has been placed under house arrest in Islamabad.
Three-member SC bench to hear the plea by Imran Khan against his arrest at 2 pm
On Thursday, a three-member Supreme Court bench, comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar & Justice Athar Minallah, will hear PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s plea against his arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case at 2 pm today.
Mobile internet & social media shutdown continues, citizens and businesses urged the government to restore mobile data service
Mobile internet services and access to Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, remained restricted for a third day.
Interior Ministry suspended internet services on Tuesday after violent protests sparked across the country following the arrest of Imran Khan.
The business sector and citizens urged the government to restore mobile data services as internet outage is leading to great economic costs. Note that millions of citizens rely on the Internet for office work and other daily services.
Nation looking towards CJP, Farrukh Habib wants apex court to take action
PTI leader Farrukh Habib Tweeted that Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial should take action against the cruelty meted out to party leaders.
Clashes between PTI protesters and law enforcers: Eight killed and 290 injured
According to news reports, at least eight people got killed and around 290 were injured in the violent protests over Imran Khan’s arrest. Over 1,900 people came out as protesters against the law enforcers authorities.
May 10, 2023
PTI leaders arrested for inciting violent protests, said Islamabad police
Islamabad Police Tweeted that so for following PTI leaders have been arrested for inciting arson and violent protests under a well-thought out plan for threatening peace:
- Shah Mahmood Qureshi
- Asad Umar
- Fawad Chaudhry
- Jamshed Iqbal Cheema
- Falaknaz Chitrali
- Musarrat Jamshed Cheema
- Maleeka Bokhari
Islamabad police issue detailed instructions for Traffic routes
Islamabad police Tweeted that diversions have been placed for both sides of traffic at Serena Chowk, Nadra Chowk, Express Chowk and Ayub Chowk. They have explained the available routes in the below posted Tweet.
PTI leader Shah Mahmood Qureshi arrested in Islamabad
PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has been arrested from Red Zone, Islamabad.
Section 144 imposed in Sindh, gathering of more than four people not allowed
Security authorities have said that strict action will be taken against those who breach Section 144.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) secures eight-day remand of PTI Chairman Imran Khan
The accountability court gave an eight-day remand of Imran Khan to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
O & A Level exams, IELTS tests scheduled for May 11 2023, cancelled across Pakistan
The British Council and IELTS have cancelled the examinations scheduled for Thursday, May 11, 2023.
Miscreants attacked Radio Pakistan building in Peshawar
Director general of Radio Pakistan, Tahir Hussain, said that several miscreants attacked the building and broke down the main entrance.
PTI to hold protest in Karachi near Millennium Mall
President PTI Karachi Aftab Siddiqui has given the call for a protest near Millennium Mall.
Interior Ministry calls Army in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The Interior Ministry has authorised the deployment of the Pakistan Army in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
PTI contacts Supreme Court to challenge Imran Khan’s arrest
The PTI has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Islamabad High Court’s verdict regarding party chief Imran Khan’s arrest. IHC had declared Imran’s arrest a legal action.
PTI leader Asad Umar arrested
Secretary General of PTI Asad Umar has been arrested from the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) premises by the Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Islamabad police.
KSE-100 Index lost 298.86 points on May 10
Amid the political crisis across the country, the benchmark KSE-100 index lost 298.86 points on Wednesday. Earlier, the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) was down by 135 points by 11:27 am.
PTA blocks Instagram across Pakistan, Facebook also not responding
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued a directive to internet service providers to block Instagram. On the other hand, Facebook is also not responding.
Internet services blocked major cities; access to YouTube & Twitter banned by PTA
Soon after the arrest of Imran Khan, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority reportedly blocked the access to social media platforms, mainly Twitter and YouTube. Moreover, the regulatory authority also issued directives to telecom operators to block provision of internet services in major cities across the country.
In a recent statement issued on Wednesday, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority informed that internet and broadband services will remain suspended across the major cities till further notice. It further clarified that the suspension of internet services is being carried out upon the orders of the Ministry of Interior.
Private schools closed, Sindh Board Examination continues, British Council & Federal Board cancels exams scheduled for May 10
The Private School Association in Sindh announced that all schools would remain closed. The announcement was made by All Pakistan Private Schools Federation president Kashif Mirza. However, board examinations (class IX & X) continued as per schedule in Sindh. On the other hand, the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education postponed the Pakistan Studies paper of class IX.
Due to current circumstances, British Council cancelled the O/A level exams in Pakistan. The authorities said that the cancelled exams would not be re-taken. Instead, the students would be graded by taking the average of other subjects ( a method followed during the Covid-19 pandemic).
Punjab Higher Education Department announces closure of all colleges and universities
HED Secretary Javed Akhtar Mahmood confirmed that all educational institutions would also remain closed. Class IX exams also got cancelled in Punjab. The rescheduling of May 10 paper would be announced later, Rest of the papers would be held as per the schedule.
Low attendance in offices, Shahra-e-Faislan and other major roads clean for traffic
Major traffic routes, especially Shahra-e-Faisal were blocked right after the news of the arrest. But, by Wednesday morning, the roads were cleared and open for traffic. Meanwhile, the traffic remained extremely low on roads, and offices also experienced weak attendance.
Imran will be presented at Police Lines Guest House in H-11, PTI calls for Nationwide protests
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced a countrywide strike on Wednesday (today) and appealed to the ‘nation’ to come out onto the streets against the ‘rising fascism’ telling supporters that a ‘make or break moment’ has approached. Shah Mehmood Qureshi has asked the workers to keep the protest peaceful.
Imran Khan will be presented at the Police Lines Guest House located in H-11. People residing in adjacent areas should keep their errands accordingly.
Section 144 imposed in Peshawar, Punjab, Islamabad and Balochistan
Aimide the sensitive situation after the arrest of Imran Khan, security authorities have imposed Section 144 in Peshawar, Islamabad, Balochistan and Punjab. Authorities added that strict action would be taken in case of violating Section 144.