Former Pakistani foreign minister and vice president of Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Shah Mahmood Qureshi, was arrested Saturday. Qureshi was arrested in Islamabad.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FIA) has arrested Qureshi from his Islamabad residence as part of an ongoing investigation into cryptography that PTI believes contains a US threat to overthrow Imran Khan from power, Geo News reported citing its sources.
The encryption issue is related to statements made by former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan last year after he was ousted from power. Khan has claimed he was shown the door as part of an "American conspiracy" and cited a diplomatic cable to attack his opponent. "PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has once again been illegally arrested," the party's social media account wrote.
The party said he was arrested by a large squad of police.
Imran Khan's Party General Secretary Omar Ayub Khan also shared the news of Qureshi's arrest on X (formerly Twitter). Ayub said Qureshi was arrested after returning home from a press conference.
“Pakistan Vice President Tehreek-e-Insaf Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureishi sahib was arrested at his home in Islamabad 25 minutes ago. He just came home from a press conference," Omar said.
"Condemn this in the strongest possible terms. I was hoping that the reign of anarchy would end after the departure of the fascist PDM government, but it seems the government cares This squirrel wants to break the record of the previous fascist government," he added.
Qureshi's arrest comes days after Imran Khan was arrested and sentenced to three years in prison in the Toshakhana case.
Imran Khan, President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was arrested by Islamabad Police in cooperation with Punjab Police at his home in Lahore following the court ruling. He was sent to Islamabad from Lahore.
