Imran Khan a ‘ladla’ who is being facilitated by judiciary: Pakistan Interior Minister

Islamabad: Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Friday termed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former prime minister Imran Khan as a “ladla” who is being facilitated by the judiciary, even as he hinted that Imran Khan may be arrested on May 17, the day his bail expires.

Speaking to Samaa TV on Friday, the Interior Minister said that the government will abide by the court verdict and ruled out discussion on imposition of emergency in the country.

Sanaullah accused the judiciary of “facilitating” Imran Khan and said that the former PM is being “welcomed”, and alleged that new resources are being invented to facilitate him. He said that this “facilitation” will not only be for the “Ladla” (blue-eyed boy) but for everyone else too, referring to PTI party workers.

In double relief for Imran Khan, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted two-week protective bail to the former prime minister in the Al-Qadir Trust case and also barred authorities from arresting him till Wednesday (May 17) in any new case filed after May 9.

The IHC granted protective bail to the PTI chairman in the Al-Qadir Trust case hours after he warned of countrywide unrest if he was arrested again.

Commenting on IHC’s decision, Sanaullah told Geo News that if the court gives Khan protective bail, then he will not be arrested at all.

He said that the court orders will be implemented and Khan will not be arrested till May 17, adding that the senior officers were told to take instructions from the advocate general.

“If there is a reason for his arrest, then he will be arrested,” said Sanaullah while speaking to Geo News.

The interior minister said that what the PTI party workers and supporters did in the last two-three days of mayhem is intolerable. “The courts can facilitate them but as per the law, we will take action against their anti-state and terror activities,” said Sanaullah.

Commenting on the Supreme Court’s verdict to release Khan and terming his arrest illegal, Sanaullah said that whatever has happened as of yet was “unprecedented”. He said that the facilitation being provided to this “ladla (blue-eyed boy)” should then be applied to everyone.

When asked if Khan will be arrested as his party workers were involved in vandalising an important installation in Lahore, Sanaullah said: “We have all the evidence from every single day, we have his speeches. The cases have been filed and are still being filed.”

The interior minister criticized the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) over his exchange of greetings with Imran Khan, who he said was charged with corruption of Rs60 billion.

He stated that the remarks by CJP were not befitting of his esteemed position.

He stated that such conversation had put a shadow of partiality over the court’s authority, raising questions about the integrity and fairness of the judiciary.

He accused Imran Khan of intentionally destabilizing the nation, fostering an atmosphere of chaos and disorder.

UNI