Zaman Park stand-off continues deep into evening with police no nearer to arresting Imran – Pakistan
Plea in opposition to Imran’s arrest warrants in Toshakhana case to be heard on Wednesday; PTI chief tells supporters to “come out”, says “mentally ready” for arrest.
Protests broke out in main cities on Tuesday on the name of PTI Chairman Imran Khan as police and celebration employees continued to conflict outdoors his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
Intermittent tear gasoline shelling is ongoing at Zaman Park as police — which was beforehand camped out at a safety barrier outdoors the neighbourhood — has been pressured to retreat in direction of Mall Highway. PTI employees, in the meantime, have laid siege to the trail resulting in Imran’s residence in addition to Canal Highway.
With police searching for Imran’s arrest, Protests damaged out in Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi and Rawalpindi after the PTI chief referred to as on his supporters to “come out” following police’s use of tear gasoline and water cannons on supporters outdoors Zaman Park.
Key developments:
- Imran, PTI calls on supporters to “come out” in solidarity, says “mentally ready” for arrest
- Protests in opposition to arrest start in Karachi, Peshawar, Islamabad and Pindi
- Islamabad DIG injured; tear gasoline shells fall inside Zaman Park as police and PTI supporters face off
- Islamabad police says 5 officers injured as stones pelted from roof of Imran’s residence
- President Alvi says he’s “deeply saddened” by at the moment’s occasions
- IHC fixes PTI’s plea in opposition to arrest warrants for tomorrow
- Maryam Nawaz says Imran to be held accountable if any police officer or personnel is injured
In Karachi, PTI employees protested at 4K Chowrangi, 5 Star Chowrangi, Banaras Chowk, Al-Asif Sq., Shaheen Chowk, Mirza Adam Khan Chowk, and Murghi Khana.
Movies shared by the PTI’s Karachi chapter additionally confirmed employees gathered at Qayyumabad Chowrangi, II Chundrigar, Hassan Sq. and Sohrab Goth.
The PTI claimed that Sindh police fired tear gasoline shells at its employees and supporters at Hassan Sq. to disperse the group.
Footage shared by the celebration confirmed celebration employees working away amid the sound of gunfire.
In Peshawar, a lot of PTI supporters demonstrated outdoors the press membership. Employees additionally blocked Sher shah Suri street and marched in direction of the Governor Home.
Islamabad police stated that PTI protesters had blocked Tarnol Highway however well timed motion had been taken to reopen it for site visitors. “A case has been registered in Tarnol Police Station in opposition to the PTI employees who blocked the street on the orders of Imran Khan,” police stated.
In Rawalpindi, protesters marched to Committee Chowk and likewise gathered at Liaquat Bagh however had been later dispersed by police officers.
A spokesperson for Rawalpindi police stated employees at Liaqat Bagh pelted stones at officers after which police baton-charged them.
PTI issues renewed call for supporters to reach Zaman Park
Late on Tuesday night, the PTI issued a renewed call for supporters to reach Zaman Park immediately.
PTI KP President Pervez Khattak said he was on his way to Zaman Park and called on the party’s officeholders in the province to head towards Lahore as well.
PTI’s social media focalperson Azhar Mashwani alleged that there were once again plans for a “major assault” on Zaman Park with the help of police contingents from Kasur and Sheikhupura and the help of “unknown persons”.
Imran tells supporters to ‘come out’, says ‘mentally prepared’ for arrest
In a video message on Twitter, Imran said police had arrived at Zaman Park to arrest him. “They think that after I am arrested, the nation will fall asleep. You have to prove them wrong,” he said.
The PTI chairman said everyone should come out of their homes for their rights and “haqeeqi azaadi” (true freedom).
“If something happens to me and I am sent to jail or if I am killed, you have to prove that you will struggle without Imran Khan and not accept the slavery of these thieves and of the one person who has been making decisions for the country,” said the former premier, who has continued his confrontational rhetoric against the establishment since his ouster in April final 12 months.
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In an interview with Sky Information and Al Jazeera later within the night, Imran stated that he was “mentally ready” for his arrest. “There’s a large [police] pressure outdoors — not simply the police however they’ve acquired the Rangers there too which is the military. It appears as if Pakistan’s greatest terrorist is holed up inside,” he added.
He alleged that the federal government wished him out of the election race because it was “petrified” of his celebration’s reputation. “In accordance with all opinion polls, we’ll sweep the upcoming polls and that’s the reason they need me faraway from the scene.”
In one other interview with BBC World, Imran stated there was a “lull” within the operation, claiming that the police was bringing in reinforcements.
“I’m mentally ready that I’m going to be spending the evening in a cell … I’m all ready for that. I believe they’re decided this time they really need me behind bars,” he added.
PTI’s Fawad Chaudhry additionally requested PTI supporters to assemble within the streets in a present of solidarity with Imran.
He stated the chief justice ought to take suo motu discover of the whole state of affairs and “cease the police operation”.
PTI chief Hammad Azhar stated there have been “hundreds” of PTI loyalists outdoors Zaman Park, whom he described as “emotional, charged … and indignant”.
“Police is utilizing disproportionate pressure over a warrant issued in a frivolous and false case. Half of Lahore is in a state of curfew. The regime’s decision-making is pushed by panic,” he tweeted.
Inside Minister Rana Sanaullah, nonetheless, stated that officers would arrest Imran in accordance with the courtroom’s directives and produce him in courtroom.
President Dr Arif Alvi stated he was “deeply saddened” by at the moment’s occasions. “Unhealthy revenge politics. Poor priorities of [a] authorities of a rustic that ought to deal with financial distress of the folks,” he stated.
“ Are we destroying political panorama? Am involved about security and dignity of @ImranKhanPTI like that of all politicians,“ he stated.
Police, PTI workers clash
Shortly after 2pm, armoured police vehicles had arrived outside Zaman Park with the intention of arresting Imran but a senior Islamabad police official, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) (Operations) Shahzad Bukhari, had refrained from commenting on the case in which officials were acting against the PTI chairman.
While police did not comment an Islamabad district and sessions court on Monday had again 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.
Nearly an hour after police arrived outdoors Zaman Park, police used a water cannon and tear gasoline in opposition to PTI supporters that had gathered outdoors Zaman Park in droves.
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Footage broadcast on tv confirmed police inching towards the residence behind an armoured car that was dispersing PTI supporters with a water cannon. Supporters may be seen pelting stones on the policemen.
Footage additionally confirmed PTI supporters being teargassed as soon as police arrived near the primary gate of Zaman Park. The employees, who had lined their faces with items of fabric and had been carrying bottles of water, continued to pelt stones at officers.
The PTI additionally shared a video of tear gasoline shells being lobbed inside Zaman Park.
Amid the chaos, Islamabad DIG (Operations) Bukhari — who was main the police workforce — was injured. Footage aired on TV confirmed the senior police official struggling to stroll as two different officers helped him.
Later, the Islamabad police supplied an replace on the DIG, saying that he was doing nicely.
Because the solar set, a Daybreak.com correspondent current on the scene stated a heavy contingent of Rangers had been deployed outdoors Zaman Park. He additionally stated {that a} helicopter was circling above Zaman Park nevertheless it was not instantly clear if it was a part of the regulation enforcers’ contingent.
The PTI additionally shared footage of its employees, some with items of fabric masking their face, nonetheless gathered outdoors Zaman Park. Among the employees had been additionally carrying sticks.
The Islamabad police stated that 5 of its officers, together with the DIG (Operations) had been injured after stones had been pelted from the roof of Zaman Park. “Regardless of the pelting of stones, police avoided taking excessive measures,” Islamabad police stated on Twitter.
It added that SP Rana Hussain had taken cost of the operation instead of DIG (Operations) Bukhari.
Police to make arrests, register cases if ‘hooliganism persists’: IGP
A little after midnight, Punjab IGP Dr Usman Anwar recapped the day’s events, saying a Punjab police force of 300 personnel, along with Islamabad police officials, had gone to Zaman Park for implementing a court order.
He told Geo News that the police contingent tried to negotiate with the PTI but instead pelted with stones. “As a result of intense pelting, the DIG was injured … and till now 27 of our officers have been injured,” he added.
Anwar said the protesters even hurled petrol bombs at the police. He, however, clarified that there was “no operation” currently under way.
To a question about arresting Imran tonight, he said it was the duty of the police to implement the court’s order.
“If this hooliganism and rowdiness continues then the police will make arrests and register cases according to the law,” he warned.
Late into the night, Imran met Lahore High Court Bar Association President Chaudhry Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan and gave him an undertaking that the PTI chief would appear in court on March 18.
“He (Ishtiaq) will provide this undertaking to the relevant officers,” the PTI said.
PTI’s plea against arrest warrants fixed for tomorrow
Separately, the PTI challenged Imran’s arrest warrants in the Toshakhana case in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The party had filed the petition shortly after police and PTI workers had come face to face outside Zaman Park.
IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq fixed the hearing for tomorrow (Wednesday) while rejecting the party’s request to conduct the hearing today.
The development was confirmed by the PTI chairman’s lawyer Ali Bukhari. “The plea has been fixed for hearing tomorrow (March 15) despite the objections raised” by the registrar’s office, he said.
Fawad said that the plea challenging the arrest warrant had been fixed for tomorrow. He said that the arrest warrant against Imran was dated March 18, therefore, police should call off its operation and wait for the court’s verdict.
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.
‘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
Additional reporting by Umer Burney, Imtiaz Ali, Sirajuddin