A local court in Islamabad issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Tosha Khana (Treasure House) case, after which the Islamabad and Lahore Police reached Zaman Park, (residence of Imran Khan in Lahore) on 14th March to detain him, meanwhile, Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) workers gathered at Zaman Park to avoid the expected arrest of their party chairman.
Capital Police party was headed by DIG Islamabad Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari. An exchange of words has been witnessed between PTI local leader Hassan Niazi and DIG Islamabad Police Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari at Zaman Park Lahore, DIG Islamabad informed Hasan Niazi about the court orders and arrest of Imran Khan.
DIG Islamabad Police told that the court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Chairman Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan, so they came to comply with court orders. On the other hand, Hassan Niazi told him that Imran Khan is not present at the residence. As many workers are present in Zaman Park, so there is a risk of confrontation if any force is applied. Meanwhile, Zaman Park administrators blocked the streets and pathways to Imran Khan’s house with containers.
Police were deployed at all entrance gates of Zaman Park but PTI workers prevented the police from reaching inside Imran Khan’s residence and pelted stones at the police. The police claimed, “we were unarmed and came to enforce court orders”. After stone pelting, police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the PTI workers. The police reached outside Imran Khan’s residence after pushing the PTI workers back. Police have also arrested some of the protesters.
Former Foreign Minister and senior leader of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi while talking to the media said, “PTI workers have been told that we will not violate any law but police are provoking the workers as they are using baton-charge, water cannons, and tear gas. Imran Khan is on protective bail from the court and cannot be arrested. According to our legal team, anyone who gets protective bail cannot be arrested, if their (police) understanding is different, explain it to us”. He warned that if there is any loss of life, the police and the administration will be responsible for it.
In a video message released on social media, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan said that even if he is arrested, the nation should continue its struggle against the government. “Police came to take me to jail. They believe that if Imran Khan would be apprehended, then the nation will not react. The nation has to prove them wrong. You have to fight for your rights and real freedom against the imported government of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and unlawful regime change. PTI’s democratic government was overthrown in an undemocratic way”, he added.
In a short address to the public between Tuesday and Wednesday night Imran Khan said that written assurance of appearing before the court on March 18 has been submitted, and now there is no justification for his arrest.
Clashes continued between the police and PTI workers in Zaman Park and heavy stones were pelted at the police from the premises of Imran Khan’s residence. In response, the police used tear gas and shells, some of the shells also fell into the garden of Imran Khan’s residence. During these fights, internet service was suspended in the area around Zaman Park, while aerial surveillance of the area was also continued with the help of a helicopter.
According to the official tweet of the Federal Police “PTI protesters pelted stones at the police. Five officials of Capital Police including DIG Operations Islamabad were injured. Stone pelting was done from the roof of Imran Khan’s house. Despite the stone pelting, the police avoided taking extreme measures”. Immediately after the clashes between police and PTI workers in Lahore (Zaman Park), a large number of protests were staged by Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf in the different cities and towns of the country.
Federal Information Minister Ms. Maryam Aurangzeb said in the media briefing that the current government has nothing to do with the arrest of Imran Khan, this arrest has nothing to do with the upcoming election in the country. “Policemen were executing the court orders only to arrest Imran Khan. He (Imran Khan) is breaking the law, violating court orders, and using his workers, women, and children as shields to avoid his arrest”, Ms. Maryam Aurangzeb added.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf has directed its workers to reach Chairman Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence through its social media accounts. Claims are also being made from these accounts that the police opened fire on the party workers.
On the next day, 15th March, schools and colleges in the area remained closed due to agitation. According to PTI former federal minister Asad Umer, Imran Khan’s arrest warrant cancellation case was fixed for hearing in Islamabad High Court (IHC), but without waiting for it, the police once again attacked Zaman Park with heavy tear gas shilling. The PTI workers affirmed that they will stand firm at Zaman Park and will not allow the police to reach Imran Khan’s residence under any circumstances. Meanwhile, Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered to stop the ongoing police operation in Zaman Park till the next day 16th March.
On 18th March In the Tosha Khana (Treasure House) case, the arrest warrant of Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan was canceled while he could not be indicted and the hearing of the case was adjourned till March 30th in additional session court Islamabad. Clashes were witnessed between Islamabad police and PTI workers: local police used tear gas and baton-charge against the PTI workers. Imran Khan left Islamabad for Lahore immediately after the case hearing.
Meanwhile, during his absence from Lahore, Punjab Police conducted an operation in Zaman Park, broke the gate, and entered Imran Khan’s house. The anti-encroachment team accompanied by the police smashed the door and wall of Imran Khan’s residence with the help of a crane. Police arrested the PTI workers from the site and claimed that they recovered weapons from the residence of Imran Khan, although independent sources are not verifying the police claims.
PTI workers and leaders consider Imran Khan is the top and most popular leader of the country, so the current government wants to arrest him to delay the elections in Pakistan. In totality, 94 cases have been registered against him since he has been removed from the PM office. Imran Khan has already survived a murder attempt during his long march in Hafizabad. He and his party believe that any public movement can put his life in danger as Imran Khan has severe life threats.
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