ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan's prominent political ally and ex-federal minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed was arrested by Punjab Police from Rawalpindi on Sunday, his nephew and former lawmaker Sheikh Rashid Shafique said in a video statement. 

Ahmed served as Pakistan's interior minister for two years under Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) administration before its downfall in April 2022 in a parliamentary vote. Since Khan's ouster and subsequent imprisonment, Ahmed continued to express his support for Khan, who has levelled serious accusations against Pakistan's powerful military establishment and rival politicians from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). 

His alleged arrest comes in the wake of the state's crackdown against hundreds of Khan supporters and aides after the nationwide protests of May 9, when military installations and government buildings in many parts of the country were attacked by angry Khan supporters following his brief arrest. Since the attack, dozens of Khan leaders were taken into custody by police on charges of vandalism while others publicly announced parting ways with the PTI. 

"A heavy contingent of Punjab Police officials in uniform arrested Sheikh Rashid Ahmed from Bahria Town Phase III in Rawalpindi," Shafique said in a video message, adding that he had been taken to an "undisclosed location."

Shafique said his elder brother, Sheikh Shakir and employee Sheikh Imran were also arrested with the former federal minister. 

"Both the Islamabad and Punjab police have told the high courts in writing that Sheikh Rashid is not wanted in any case," he said, adding that Ahmed had categorically denounced the violent protests that took place on May 9. He demanded authorities produce Ahmed before a court of law and vowed to fight the "legal battle" for his uncle. 

"If, God forbid any harm comes to his life, then the current Punjab government and the federal government will be responsible for it," he concluded. 

PTI reacted to the development, terming it "political victimization and fascism."

"Despite a caretaker government in place the fascism, and blatant violation of human rights continues!" it wrote on social media platform X. 

The Punjab government or Punjab Police have so far not commented on the alleged arrest. 

The development takes place with Pakistan gearing up for general elections which analysts expect could be delayed to February and beyond. As the South Asian country approaches the polls, it is reeling from political instability and an economic crisis that has seen its currency weaken considerably against the US dollar amid skyrocketing inflation. 

Khan, who has been at the heart of Pakistan's political turmoil since his ouster from office last year, was barred from holding any public office for five years after he began a three-year sentence in August following a court conviction. The cricketer-turned-politician was arrested on charges of unlawfully selling state gifts acquired by him and his family during his 2018-2022 tenure. Khan, who has denied any wrongdoing, was arrested at his Lahore house and taken to Attock Jail near Islamabad where he is serving his sentence.