The government of Pakistan’s Punjab province has decided to form a joint investigation team to locate the perpetrators of the violence that erupted across the country this week following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust corruption case.
The team will investigate the violent incidents that have occurred since May 9, when Imran Khan was detained, and will submit a report to the province government.
According to caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi, all of the perpetrators would be arrested and terror charges will be filed against them.
Pakistani Rangers detained Imran Khan outside the Islamabad High Court in connection with the Al-Qadir Trust case. On May 1, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in Rawalpindi issued an arrest warrant against him.
Following his detention, Imran Khan supporters attacked the Pakistan Army headquarters in Rawalpindi and the Corps Commander’s residence in Lahore. Violence erupted in numerous cities across Pakistan, with protesters engaged in large-scale arson, stone pelting, looting, and clashes with police personnel.
The Islamabad High Court granted the 70-year-old cricketer-politician protective bail in the corruption case for two weeks on Friday and prevented officials from detaining him in any case registered anywhere in the country until May 15.
The high court directed that Imran Khan not be detained in any case filed in Islamabad after May 9 until May 17. It also directed the authorities to ensure ‘foolproof security’ to the former prime minister.
Imran Khan was given bail and returned to his residence in Lahore, where he was greeted by thousands of supporters.
