Lahore: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday appealed to his countrymen to face resolute and combat for ‘Haqeeqi Azadi’ and rule of regulation as police fired tear fuel and used water cannons to disperse his supporters gathered outdoors his residence in Lahore to stop his arrest within the Toshakhana case. Khan took to Twitter and posted a video message, “My message to the nation to face resolute and combat for Haqeeqi Azadi & rule of regulation.”
His video message got here as TV footage confirmed police slowly approaching the Zaman Park residence of Khan behind an armoured car that was dispersing his supporters with a water cannon.
IMRAN KHAN’S VIDEO MESSAGE
My message to the nation to face resolute and combat for Haqeeqi Azadi & rule of regulation. pic.twitter.com/bgVuOjsmHG
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
A senior police officer of Islamabad police mentioned that his workforce has come right here to arrest the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman within the Toshakhana case.
Khan has been within the crosshairs for purchasing items, together with an costly Graff wristwatch he had obtained because the premier at a reduced value from the state depository referred to as Toshakhana and promoting them for revenue.
Clashes Between PTI Supporters, Police In Lahore
Clashes erupted between police and PTI staff when the previous approached Khan’s residence to arrest him. His supporters pelted stones on the policemen. Each Khan’s celebration staff and policemen had been injured. The official Twitter deal with of the celebration earlier urged supporters and staff to assemble outdoors the residence and ‘stay peaceable’.
Numerous PTI staff outfitted with golf equipment had been current outdoors the 70-year-old chief’s residence to withstand the police motion. The police blocked all roads resulting in the home of the PTI chairman by inserting containers and riot personnel took positions to launch the operation.
Senior PTI chief Farukh Habib instructed reporters that come what could Imran Khan wouldn’t give up to police in faux circumstances. “The arrest warrants within the case associated to threatening a feminine choose had been in the present day suspended by the Islamabad Excessive Courtroom. Let’s examine what new warrants police have introduced with them now,” Habib mentioned.
One activist of Khan’s celebration was killed on Wednesday throughout a crackdown on his supporters who gathered outdoors his residence in Lahore, defying a authorities ban on rallies within the metropolis.
Khan Booked For Killing PTI Employee
On Monday, the Lahore police had booked Khan in a case associated to the killing of the PTI employee – Ali Bilal alias Zille Shah – in a highway accident. Earlier, the Lahore police had registered an FIR towards Khan and 400 others for the homicide of Shah.
“The brand new FIR has been registered towards Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, Dr Yasmin Rashid and numerous different PTI males for abetment to homicide, concealing information and proof associated to the dying of Zille Shah,” a senior police officer instructed PTI.
He mentioned the police could arrest Khan and others nominated within the FIR after route from the “high”. The PTI had accused the police of homicide of Shah after inflicting brutal torture on March 8.
That is the 81th FIR towards Khan for the reason that PML-N led federal coalition got here into energy 11 months in the past after toppling his authorities by means of a no-confidence movement. Khan Monday led a march of 1000’s of his supporters, a day after he referred to as off his celebration’s election rally following a ban on public gatherings in Punjab’s provincial capital.
The previous cricketer-turned-politician’s supporters threw rose petals at a convoy carrying him to Knowledge Darbar shrine.
Khan was ousted from energy in April final 12 months after shedding a no-confidence vote, which he alleged was a part of a US-led conspiracy focusing on him due to his impartial overseas coverage choices on Russia, China and Afghanistan.
Since his ouster, Khan has been clamouring for rapid elections to oust what he termed was an “imported authorities” led by prime minister Shehbaz Sharif. Sharif has maintained that elections might be held later this 12 months as soon as the parliament completes its five-year tenure.
