Imran asks supporters to come back out as police, supporters face off exterior Zaman Park; DIG Islamabad injured – Pakistan
PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday known as on his supporters to “come out” as get together staff and police officers clashed exterior his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
In a video message on Twitter, Imran stated police had arrived to arrest him. “They assume that after I’m arrested, the nation will go to sleep. You need to show them mistaken.”
The PTI chairman stated everybody ought to come out of their houses for his or her rights and “haqeeqi azaadi” (true freedom).
Key developments:
- Imran calls on supporters to ‘come out’
- Islamabad police deploy water cannon, tear fuel as PTI supporters pelt
stones - Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Imran not current at Zaman Park after saying he was, calls on police to indicate him the arrest warrant in order that he can talk about it with PTI chief
- Fawad Chaudhry says arrest warrants have been challenged within the IHC
- Maryam Nawaz says Imran to be held accountable if any police officer or personnel is injured
“If one thing occurs to me and I’m despatched to jail or if I’m killed, you need to show that you’ll wrestle with out Imran Khan and never settle for the slavery of those thieves and of the one one who has been making choices for the nation,” he stated.
PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry additionally requested PTI supporters to assemble within the streets in a peaceable protest and to precise solidarity with Imran.
Shortly after 2pm, armoured police autos had arrived exterior Zaman Park with the intention of arresting Imran however a senior Islamabad police official, Deputy Inspector Common (DIG) (Operations) Shahzad Bukhari, had shunned commenting on the case through which officers have been performing towards the PTI chairman.
Nevertheless, virtually an hour later, police used a water cannon and tear fuel towards PTI supporters that had gathered exterior Zaman Park in droves.
Footage broadcast on tv confirmed police slowly inching towards the residence behind an armoured car that was dispersing PTI supporters with a water cannon. Supporters is also seen pelting stones on the policemen.
Footage additionally confirmed PTI supporters being teargassed as police arrived near the primary gate of Zaman Park. The employees, who had lined their faces with items of material and have been carrying bottles of water, continued to pelt stones at officers.
The PTI shared a video of what seemed to be tear fuel shells being lobbed inside Zaman Park.
Amid the chaos, it emerged that Islamabad DIG (Operations) Bukhari — who’s main the police crew — had been injured. Footage aired on TV confirmed the senior police official struggling to stroll as two different officers helped him.
On Monday, an Islamabad district and periods courtroom once more issued arrest warrants for Imran after he persistently skipped hearings within the Toshakhana case. The courtroom had additionally directed police to current the ex-premier in courtroom by March 18.
Qureshi tells police to come and talk to him
Speaking to the media outside Zaman Park after the police’s use of force, PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that he had come to talk to the Islamabad DIG (Operations).
“He says he came with an arrest warrant [but] I’m requesting him to not ruin the situation,” he said, adding that the PTI wanted to remain peaceful and did not want bloodshed.
“Meet me and talk to me. What are your orders? Deliver them to me, show me the warrant, I’ll read it and understand it and talk to my chairman and consult our lawyers.”
He said that the police action against PTI workers was “without reason” and called for it to stop immediately.
Qureshi said that Imran had been granted protective bail and questioned how police could want to arrest him.
The PTI leader said that Imran was not present inside, in contrast to his statement to the media minutes earlier in which he said the ex-premier was in fact at Zaman Park. Imran’s sister Aleema Khanum had also told the media that Imran was present at his residence.
“Imran Khan is not present inside. I’m standing on the street. Come and meet me,” Qureshi said, adding that he was the “authorised” person.
PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry, meanwhile, said that the arrest warrants against Imran had been challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He said that the hearing was expected to be held soon. “Shibli Faraz and Barrister Gohar have reached the IHC”.
‘Police to serve lawful process’
Speaking to the media as armoured vehicles had arrived outside Zaman Park around 2pm, Islamabad Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (Operations) Shahzad Bukhari — who was clad in riot control gear — told reporters that officials had arrived to take the PTI chief into custody as there were outstanding warrants for his arrest.
However, the police official declined to divulge the details of the case in which Islamabad police was acting against Imran. “Of course, we know of the case but why should we discuss [such] details?”
When asked where Imran would be taken once he was arrested, Bukhari said: “Let it first happen, then God willing we will keep you informed.”
He asserted that police had arrived to “serve the lawful process”, adding that he expected that others would cooperate with the officials in this regard.
He said that he expected the people not to take the law into their own hands and would also announce it to the public gathered outside Imran’s residence.
When asked whether police would take action if the situation descended into chaos, he said: “Yes of course, if someone takes the law into their hands then we will act in accordance with the law.”
Bukhari was also asked whether the capital’s police force had been camped out in Lahore for the past week, to which he replied that these were their own “procedural details”.
PTI jumps to Imran’s defence
Meanwhile, PTI’s Farrukh Habib shared footage of officials outside Zaman Park. He said that Imran’s life was in danger yet situations were being created behind the scenes so that another attempt on the ex-premier’s life could be carried out.
“Appearing before a court in F-8 is no less than a death trap,” he said.
PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, in an apparent reference to the coalition government, said the entire group had looted the Toshakhana yet police were only seeking Imran’s arrest.
PML-N Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Imran would be held responsible if any police officer or personnel was injured.
“The sons of the nation are not useless,” she said in a tweet. “They are carrying out their duty”.
More to follow
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