Pakistani celebrities have expressed their intense rage over former Prime Minister Khan’s arrest by paramilitary police outside the High Court in Islamabad.
Khan was testifying in court over numerous cases that he alleges are political motivated. According to reports, after entering the court complex, he was apprehended by authorities in armored personnel vehicles.
Infuriated by the arrest, a number of Pakistani celebrities have shown their support for Khan. To name a few, Hasan Raheem, Atiqa Odho, Ahmed Ali Butt, and Zara Peerzada are furious about how events have transpired.
Singer Qurutulain Baloch mourned the murder of democracy. “It’s official. We are no more a democracy,” wrote Baloch in a tweet.
It’s official. We are no more a democracy. #Imrankhan
— Quratulain Balouch (@Quratulainb) May 9, 2023
Khadijah Shah, the founder of Elan, also took to Twitter to share her anger. “Imran Khan was unconscious when they took him – they had hit him on the head, legs and doused him with pepper spray which shuts you down and constricts your air passages,” she tweeted.
@ImranKhanPTI was unconscious when they took him- they had hit him on the head, legs and doused him with pepper spray which shuts you down and constricts your air passages.
— KhadijahShah (@khadijah_shah) May 9, 2023
Furthermore, she urged others to stand up for the arrested leader. “Anger building!! Each one of you must stand up and be counted for today, there are no other chances,” wrote Shah.
Anger building!! Each one of you must stand up and be counted for today, there are no other chances.. #BehindYouSkipper pic.twitter.com/3XT1FGvYHi
— KhadijahShah (@khadijah_shah) May 9, 2023
Actor Armeena Khan took to the microblogging site to share her disgust with the way events have transpired. “Absolute disgusting state of affairs and I stand with Imran Khan,” she tweeted.
Absolute disgusting state of affairs and I stand with Imran Khan.
— Armeena ✨ (@ArmeenaRK) May 9, 2023
The actor was also appalled by the sheer amount of military personnel that was sent to arrest Khan. “Dozens in riot gear arresting a 70-year-old who can barely walk. For shame! Was this necessary? He said he was ready to go to jail if need be peacefully. Disgusting!” she shared.
Dozens in riot gear arresting a 70 year old who can barely walk. For shame! was this necessary? He said he was ready to go to jail if need be peacefully. ???????? Disgusting!
— Armeena ✨ (@ArmeenaRK) May 9, 2023
Singer Annie Khalid has urged people to leave their homes to lend support to the former premier of Pakistan. “Please get out of your homes guys. He’s in jail for us. His entire career of political struggle comes down to today. He’s telling us to fight for our constitutional rights, please get out there and protest!” she wrote.
Please get out of your homes guys. He’s in jail FOR US. His entire career of political struggle comes down to today. He’s telling us to fight for our constitutional rights, please GET OUT THERE AND PROTEST!
— Annie Khalid (@annie_khalid) May 9, 2023
Khalid also sent ill wishes to the “oppressors” who arrested Khan, while criticizing the establishment.
May Allah break the backs of these oppressors https://t.co/t9W89oxvGp
— Annie Khalid (@annie_khalid) May 9, 2023
Pakistan Army, shameless Generals – the nation will NEVER forgive you https://t.co/WspPBMXHQM
— Annie Khalid (@annie_khalid) May 9, 2023
Celebrity publicist Frieha Altaf also shared her take. “Sick to my stomach to see Imran Khan arrested! I hope he remains safe. Prayers for his safe return,” wrote Altaf.
Sick to my stomach to see Imran Khan arrested! I hope he remains safe. Prayers for his safe return. @ImranKhanPTI @PTIofficial pic.twitter.com/1igGy6GeEW
— Frieha Altaf (@FriehaAltaf) May 9, 2023
Renowned star Adnan Siddiqui was also seen to be furious over the arrest. “Shameful and shocking to see a former PM being dragged like a petty criminal. Never in the history of our country were such scenes witnessed. Power has surely gone to the ruling dispensation’s head,” he tweeted in anger.
Shameful and shocking to see a former PM being dragged like a petty criminal. Never in the history of our country were such scenes witnessed. Power has surely gone to the ruling dispensation’s head. #ImranKhan
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) May 9, 2023
Peerzada shared an image of herself on her Instagram Story, clasping her head in frustration. “An ex-PM has literally been kidnapped/arrested by the establishment from a constitutional court. I have no words. You can’t make this up. I wish I was,” she shared.
The iconic Meera Jee took to her Instagram Story to simply share a video of Khan’s arrest.
Singers Hassan and Roshaan also shared their disgust over the sequence of events on their combined Instagram account. “They are right to be labelled fools. They’ve made a joke out of everything. Is this their father’s nation?” read the Instagram Story.
Butt took to his Instagram Story to share the news, stating, “And so it begins.”
Abay inkay baap ka mulk thori hai
— hasan raheem (@hasanraheeem) May 9, 2023
Odho, a veteran actor, shared a video of the arrest while professing her anger alongside in her Instagram caption. “Imran Khan arrested while sitting inside the court,” she penned. “Shameful! He was there to get bail but they used the moment to NAB him instead. Chief Justice should insist he’s presented back in court to ensure his safety at once! Any citizen following the law and respecting the courts of Pakistan deserves security!”
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Sana Faysal shared visuals of the arrest on her Instagram Story, labelling the day of the arrest a “black day.”
Talented actor Maya Ali also seemed to be in agreement. She took to her Instagram Story as well, sharing a video of the arrest. “Black day for the nation, for Pakistan,” she wrote. “This is ridiculous to see our Captain – our one and only Prime Minister – in their hands like this. How far will you fall?”
