LAHORE: Clashes broke out between law enforcers and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists on Tuesday when a heavy contingent of police arrived at Zaman Park to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan in the Tosha Khana case – the only such case. In which their arrest warrants have not been suspended.
In light of the development, the PTI chairman asked his workers to keep fighting for the “rule of law”, ensure that they continue the struggle no matter what, and take to the streets.
“If I am arrested or killed, I should continue to fight for real freedom [real freedom movement],” said Khan, who was ousted as prime minister by a no-confidence motion in April last year.
My message to the nation to stand resolute and fight for Haqeeqi Azadi & rule of law. pic.twitter.com/bgVuOjsmHG
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
In response, PTI workers staged protests in major cities including Karachi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Wahari, Peshawar, Quetta and Mianwali.
A team of Islamabad police has been in Lahore since yesterday to comply with court orders to arrest the PTI chairman, who is facing multiple cases in different cities.
Riot police, though showing restraint, are using water cannons and tear gas to disperse party workers as they move in to try to arrest Khan.
Key takeaways:
- Protests against Khan’s possible arrest erupt across Pakistan
- Police fire tear gas to disperse workers acting as “human shield”
- Additional riot police called in to control simmering situation
- Several PTI workers arrested for rioting with police personnel
- Khan tells workers to ensure struggle no matter what happens
- Ruling allies slam Khan for “hiding” in his Zaman Park house
As per court orders, law enforcement agencies are present at Zaman Park as a district and sessions court in Islamabad on Monday restored the non-bailable arrest warrant of the former prime minister in the Tosha Khana case.
Last week, the IHC had suspended Khan’s non-bailable arrest warrant issued by a local court and directed him to appear before the lower court on March 13 due to PTI chief’s continued absence. – and they again failed to obey orders. .
This is the second time in less than 10 days that the police have reached Zaman Park to arrest the ousted prime minister.
14 policemen including DIG Operations Islamabad Shahzad Bukhari were injured when the party workers pelted stones. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have also arrested PTI workers.
Ready to find ‘possible way out’
Amid clashes between PTI workers and the police, party vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the leadership was ready to find a “possible way” to stop the bloodshed.
Addressing a press conference at Zaman Park, the PTI vice-chairman asked the police to “not aggravate the situation” and talk to the party leadership.
“Show me the warrant, I will read it first, then, I will talk to Imran Khan and my lawyers,” a senior PTI leader told the police.
Terming the police action as a reaction to yesterday’s rally and irrational, the PTI leader claimed that Khan has been granted protective bail by the court.
Qureshi said that “arrest cannot be made” if a person has a security bond. The PTI leader also asked the authorities if they wanted to postpone the upcoming elections.
Commenting on the police action, he maintained that the law enforcers arrived at Zaman Park with a program of “bloodletting”.
Offering talks to the authorities, the PTI leader said “talk to us and maybe we will surrender voluntarily”.
The police raided Khan’s house, he said, adding that the authorities were bent on harming him.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Farrukh Habib told reporters that today’s move was “dangerous” for Khan.
“I don’t think the police need to take any extreme steps. We don’t want to put Imran Khan in a situation where his life is in danger.”
Habib said that in the case of threatening the judge, the court suspended the arrest warrant and the warrants for which the police are here will also be suspended.
‘Let us first arrest him’
DIG Operations Islamabad Shahzad Bukhari is leading the police party which has cordoned off Khan’s residence in a posh area of the city.
Speaking to the media, the police official said: “We have come to execute the warrant. We know the details of the case but cannot talk.
Where will Imran Khan be arrested and taken? A journalist asked the official.
On this, DIG Bukhari said that first arrest him and then inform the media.
In a tweet, Islamabad Police also said that legal action will be taken against those obstructing the implementation of court orders related to the arrest of the PTI chief.
ترجمان اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 14, 2023
ڈی آئی جی آپریشنز اور ایس پی بالکل خیریت سے ہیں۔
پنجاب پولیس اسلام آباد کیپیٹل پولیس کی مکمل معاونت کررہی ہے۔
عدالتی احکامات میں رکاوٹ بننے والوں کے خلاف قانونی کارروائی کی جائے گی۔#Islamabad #Police
Coalition allies castigate Khan
Commenting on the police action, PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz said that the sons of the nation are doing their duty.
Referring to the ongoing clashes between PTI workers and security personnel, Maryam said that if any policeman was injured, Khan would be responsible.
آج اگر زمان پارک میں کسی پولیس کے افسر یا جوان کو کوئی گزند پہنچی تو ذمہ دار عمران ہو گا۔ قوم کے بیٹے فالتو نہیں، وہ اپنا فرض نبھا رہے ہیں۔
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) March 14, 2023
Later, while addressing the PML-N workers’ convention in Sheikhupura, Maryam taunted Khan for “hiding inside his house” to avoid arrest. He also criticized the PTI leader for allegedly playing politics over the death of Zail Shah – a PTI activist who was killed earlier this week.
Also, in response to Khan’s tweet, Maryam said: “The whole nation should stand with ‘courage and perseverance’, but I am hiding under the bed with all ‘courage and perseverance’. Going to persevere from below!”
Referring to the clashes, Chief Law Minister Nazir Tarar said in a statement that a “game” is being played for the sake of one person’s “ego” in Lahore today.
In a press conference, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Home and Legal Affairs Attaullah Tarar called the PTI chief to stop hiding in his house, get up and get himself arrested.
“Imran Khan has taken his workers as his shield and refused to come out of his bunker,” Tarr said, denying the federal cabinet’s involvement in the PTI chief’s arrest.
Calling the PTI chief “a most cowardly person”, the special assistant said, “The state is not helpless. Precautions should always be taken. Everything is being done according to law.”
IHC registrar’s office raises objection to Khan’s plea
The IHC Registrar’s Office raised objections to Khan’s plea to cancel the arrest warrant in the Toshakhana case.
Earlier today, Khan’s counsel filed an application with the IHC and requested his office to schedule the matter before the bench for today’s hearing.
However, the office of the IHC registrar raised objections that the ousted prime minister did not undergo biometric verification.
The appeal against Khan’s arrest warrant is scheduled for hearing tomorrow, which will be heard by Chief Justice of IHC Aamir Farooq. During the hearing tomorrow, the objections of the Registrar’s Office will also be heard.
