Former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan was facing fresh legal challenges on Saturday evening when Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah accused him of challenging “the writ of the state by inciting rebellion”.
Mr Khan was removed from government in April after a no-confidence vote in Parliament and has since blamed a foreign conspiracy backed by the US for his removal.
He has held regular rallies across the country, calling for new elections but his continuing campaign against Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has bought him and his followers increasingly into conflict with the police. After Mr Sanaullah’s remarks, speculation that Mr Khan could soon be arrested is mounting.
A close aide of Mr Khan was this year arrested on treason charges after alleged anti-military remarks. He was taken to hospital this week after complaining of breathing difficulties, officials said on Friday. Shahbaz Gill, who is also chief of staff of Mr Khan’s opposition Tehreek-e-Insaf party, was arrested after appearing on private ARY TV in the southern port city of Karachi, when he allegedly incited troops and officers to mutiny.
During the broadcast, Mr Gill, a known critic of the military, said soldiers and officers should refuse to obey “illegal orders" from the military leadership. He implied that the rank and file of the armed forces overwhelmingly supports Mr Khan.
After the TV interview, Mr Gill was arrested and charged with treason, which under Pakistani law carries the death penalty. ARY TV was taken off air and its broadcasting licence was revoked. The station's new director Ammad Yousaf was arrested but released soon after.
Security officials — speaking to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity — said Mr Gill was taken from his jail cell to hospital on Wednesday after telling the guards that he was having difficulty breathing.
Mr Khan had accused the police of “torture and abuse" but they deny mistreating Mr Gill, insisting that the former prime minister's aide was unwell because he suffers from chronic asthma, local media reported.
The police later released a statement on Mr Gill’s medical condition, saying he was medically fit to be questioned.
Mr Khan called his supporters to rally in Islamabad on Saturday to denounce Mr Gill’s arrest.
In Pakistan, police cannot question detained suspects while they are in hospital, even though they remain in custody.
Mr Khan came to power in 2018, promising to break the pattern of family rule in Pakistan, but his opponents said he was elected with help from the powerful military, which has ruled the country for half of its 75-year history.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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As it stands in Pool A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
