Islamabad police on Tuesday used a water cannon and tear gasoline to disperse PTI staff gathered outdoors celebration chief Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
Footage broadcast on tv confirmed police slowly inching towards the residence behind an armoured automobile that was dispersing PTI supporters with a water cannon. Supporters is also seen pelting stones on the policemen.
Shortly after 2pm, armoured police autos had arrived outdoors Zaman Park residence in Lahore with the intention of arresting Imran however a senior Islamabad police official had shunned commenting on the case wherein officers have been appearing towards the PTI chairman.
Key developments:
- Armoured police autos arrive outdoors Zaman Park
- Islamabad police deploy water cannon, tear gasoline as PTI supporters pelt
stones - Shah Mahmood Qureshi says Imran current at Zaman Park, calls on police to indicate him the arrest warrant in order that he can focus on 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
Right now’s growth comes a day after 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.
Chatting with the media outdoors Zaman Park after the police’s use of drive, PTI’s Shah Mahmood Qureshi mentioned that he had come to speak to the Islamabad DIG (Operations).
“He says he got here with an arrest warrant [but] I’m requesting him to not damage the state of affairs,” he mentioned, including that the PTI needed to stay peaceable and didn’t need bloodshed.
“Meet me and discuss to me. What are your orders? Ship them to me, present me the warrant, I’ll learn it and perceive it and discuss to my chairman and seek the advice of our attorneys.”
He mentioned that the police motion towards PTI staff was “with out purpose” and referred to as for it to cease instantly.
PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry, in the meantime, mentioned that the arrest warrants towards Imran had been challenged within the Islamabad Excessive Court docket (IHC). He mentioned that the listening to was anticipated to be held quickly. “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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