Social media erupted with outrage when a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) in Punjab’s recruitment guide for constables about former premier Imran Khan’s arrest in the Al Qadir Trust case came to light. 

 

In a widely circulated undated video, a person can be seen reading the MCQ about the date on which the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was arrested in 2023, triggering wide-spread violent protests. "When did the National Accountability Bureau arrest Imran Khan inside the Islamabad High Court in the corruption allegations in the Al Qadir Trust?" 

 

Four options can be seen in the guide given below the MCQ content: (A) May 9, 2023, (B) May 11, 2023, (C) May 10, 2023, (D) None of these

 

PTI social media users were quick to react, with some alleging that the Punjab government was responsible for including the MCQ in the guide, while other users argued that the Punjab government had nothing to do with it.

 

A social media user wrote, “The Punjab government has included a question about Imran Khan's arrest in the Al-Qadir Trust case in the recruitment guide for constables. Aspiring candidates are memorising the question. Shame, shame, shame.”

 

Another user wrote, “They have been stooped so low in the jealousy of Imran Khan.”

 

Journalist Shahid Aslam shared the short video clip on his X handle, stressing that one should not stoop so low in political differences.

 

However, another netizen opined that it was not the Punjab government but rather the guide publishers that had put the MCQ about Imran Khan’s arrest date in the recruitment guide.

 

On May 9, 2023, NAB apprehended Imran Khan from Islamabad High Court in connection with the corruption cases in the Al Qadir Trust case.

 

On January 17, 2025, an accountability court convicted Khan and his spouse, Bushra Bibi, in the said case. Judge Nasir Javed Rana sentenced 14 years and seven years in jail for the former premier and his wife, respectively.

 

As per the verdict, the Imran Khan was convicted for “corrupt practices” and “misuse of authority”, while the first lady was convicted for “involvement in illegal activities”. The judge directed the authorities to give the Al-Qadir Trust University in the federal government's custody.

 

The 148-page verdict mentioned that Bushra's role was limited to aiding and abetting the corruption offences, which is considered a mitigating circumstance in her sentencing.