Former federal minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who previously served as the aviation minister in the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led cabinet, was arrested in Islamabad on Wednesday in connection with the May 9 riots. Sarwar had managed to evade arrest for over a month but was apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday from a friend’s residence. Former PTI member of the National Assembly (MNA) Mansoor Hayat Khan and former Punjab MPA Ammar Siddique Khan, who were present with Sarwar during the raid, were also taken into custody.

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The arrest of Ghulam Sarwar Khan came after a case was registered against him at Taxila Police Station under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The Rawalpindi Police had also been seeking the PTI leaders in connection with the May 9 riots. Following their arrest, all three politicians were transferred to an undisclosed location.

The May 9 riots erupted across the country when protestors took to the streets in response to the arrest of the PTI chief from the premises of the Islamabad High Court by paramilitary Rangers. During the riots, vandals targeted state property, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House (Jinnah House) and the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

To control the situation, the government implemented measures such as blocking internet services for four days and restricting access to social media in the subsequent days. Furthermore, a severe crackdown has been launched to apprehend individuals suspected of involvement in the rioting.

In the aftermath of the riots, several PTI leaders have dissociated themselves from the party, with some even deciding to quit politics altogether. Many of these leaders made their announcements following multiple arrests and detentions.