Pakistan's ex-premier chooses not to appear before anti-graft agency

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan chose not to appear before the country's anti-graft agency on Thursday in a corruption case as the government is mulling to re-arrest him.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had summoned Khan to join an ongoing investigation against him and his wife for misuse of authority as a public officeholder in aiding the Illegal transfer of £190 million ($239 million) for "personal gains."

Khan, whose arrest in the said case last week triggered violent protests across the country, told NAB through a 20-page reply to the watchdog's "call up notice," that he is currently in the process of applying for and obtaining pre-arrest bail in a series of cases in line with a judgment of the Islamabad High Court.

"As such it is not possible for me to appear in person for recording my plea and/or joining the investigation before the said date," he said.

"I may, however, add here that all the allegations made by you in the subject Call Up Notice are absolutely false, frivolous and concocted, and based on deliberate misconception of law and facts, and baseless conjectures and surmises," he went on to say.

Khan's refusal follows the end of a 24-hour deadline by the government of northeastern Punjab province, which demanded the ex-premier surrender "30-40 terrorists" hiding in his Lahore residence.

According to the government, the "hiding terrorists" are involved in attacks on military installations.

Khan denies the charge.

He, however, sought "immediate inquiry" into the alleged police firing on "unarmed protesters killing at least 25 and injuring hundreds" after his arrest.

It also follows raids and arrests of hundreds of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party supporters for their alleged involvement in attacks on military installations across the country last week.

The former prime minister has alleged the attacks were "pre-planned to justify the crackdown on PTI."

Various senior party leaders, in an ostensible attempt to avoid arrests and cases, have announced quitting the party, while several senior opposition politicians, including former Foreign Minister and the PTI’s vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and party’s Secretary-General Asad Umar have been put behind the bars under a long-criticized maintenance of public order.

According to the government, nearly 4,000 protesters have been arrested since May, whereas the PTI claims over 7,000 supporters are behind bars across the country.

- Letter from US lawmakers

Some 65 members of the US Congress on Thursday sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to “prioritize the promotion and protection of democracy and human rights in Pakistan.”

"As proponents of strong Pakistan-USA relations, we write to express our concerns about the current situation in Pakistan and urge you to use all diplomatic tools at your disposal to pressure the government of Pakistan towards a greater commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law," the letter, tweeted by Pakistani-American Caucus, read.

"As both Democrats and Republicans who care about the bilateral relationship, we are concerned that violence and increased political tensions could spiral into a deteriorating security situation in Pakistan," it added.

The senators asked Blinken to pressure Islamabad to ensure protesters can assert their demands in a peaceful and non-violent way, free from harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary detentions.

- Allegations against Khan

Khan was arrested on May 9 and taken into custody by the country's paramilitary troops, Rangers, from the Islamabad High Court where he was attending the hearing of his bail application as, according to Khan, the government has filed over 120 cases against him during the last one year.

He was arrested by the country's anti-corruption agency, the National Accountability Bureau, in connection with alleged corruption involving the Al Qadir University Trust.

It is alleged that the cricketer-turned-politician and his wife Bushra Bibi received billions of rupees and a large piece of costly land to build the educational institution in return for releasing an amount of £190 million ($239 million) to a property tycoon in 2020.

The amount was identified and returned to the country by the UK's National Crime Agency, following a settlement with real estate tycoon Malik Riaz in 2019.

The National Accountability Bureau, Pakistan's anti-corruption body, alleges that Khan’s PTI government struck a deal with Riaz that caused a loss of more than $239 million to the national exchequer, in a quid pro quo arrangement with the businessman.

Khan and his party leaders, however, deny the allegations.

Khan, who served as prime minister of Pakistan from 2018-2022, lost a vote of confidence in parliament last April, one year short of completing his term.

In November, he survived an assassination attempt during a rally.

Since then, Khan has fallen out with the country's powerful army and is facing a plethora of cases, which his supporters say are politically motivated.