On Wednesday, Pakistani authorities deployed Punjab Rangers to arrest former PM Imran Khan from his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, after 54 police officers reportedly got injured in clashes with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) workers.
Violence in Zaman Park
The Punjab Rangers were deployed as police officers failed to arrest Khan after being opposed by a large group of PTI activists through Tuesday night.
My house has been under heavy attack since yesterday afternoon. Latest attack by Rangers, pitting the largest pol party against the army. This is what PDM and the enemies of Pakistan want. No lessons learnt from the East Pakistan tragedy. pic.twitter.com/SBcrCcYEo5
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
In an attempt to disperse the crowds pelting stones to prevent Khan’s arrest, police officers retorted with teargas and water cannons.
Punjab’s Inspector General of Police Usman Anwar on Tuesday warned PTI workers of a stricter response if they continued to resist Khan’s arrest. He further said that those responsible for damaging public property and attacking police officers would be identified through CCTV footage and arrested.
Meanwhile, the PTI’s Twitter page said there is an “urgent need” for first aid kits. The party’s supporters also launched protests in several cities including Karachi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Vehari, Peshawar, Quetta, and Mianwali.
Imran Khan’s residence has become a war zone - Pakistan doesn’t anymore even pretend to be a democracy! pic.twitter.com/sb17dZAvTy
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) March 15, 2023
Court’s Arrest Warrant
The police officers were looking to enforce the arrest warrant issued by additional sessions judge Zadar Iqbal on Tuesday after Khan failed to appear in court despite a summons. The former PM is currently facing corruption charges for selling Toshakhana gifts he purchased from the public repository at minimal costs while in office.
The Islamabad High Court will look into the PTI’s petition, which Khan submitted on Tuesday, to challenge the warrants. The court had suspended a non-bailable warrant issued against Khan last week and urged him to appear before the court on Tuesday.
Khan Makes Assassination Claims
Clearly "arrest" claim was mere drama because real intent is to abduct & assassinate. From tear gas & water cannons, they have now resorted to live firing. I signed a surety bond last evening, but the DIG refused to even entertain it. There is no doubt of their mala fide intent. pic.twitter.com/5LZtZE8Ies
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
In a series of tweets, Khan claimed that the incumbent government’s “real intent” is to “abduct and possibly murder” him, with police forces “open firing” outside his residence. He urged activists to continue their struggle and ensure PTI’s victory in the upcoming elections, even in his absence.
Taking a dig at the military and the government, he questioned the intent behind deploying the Punjab Rangers against “unarmed protestors.”
In a video message from his residence on Twitter, Khan said that there was “no precedent” for the authorities’ actions.
to those who claim they are "neutral": Is this your idea of neutrality, Rangers directly confronting unarmed protestors & ldrship of largest pol party when their ldr is facing an illegal warrant & case already in court & when govt of crooks trying to abduct & possibly murder him?
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
Justifying his no-show before the court, he cited security concerns as terrorists had attacked the F8 Kacheri on two occasions.
He added that to “avoid anarchy,” he had already signed an undertaking and offered to present a surety to the Islamabad police assuring that he would appear in the court on Saturday. “And as per code of criminal procedure’s Section 76, if a surety bond is given to arresting officer, then he cannot make the arrest,” Khan asserted.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Khan said the authorities’ attempts are “totally illegal” and motivated by a fear of his popularity. He further informed that he secured anticipatory bail that protects him from arrest till 18 March. Nevertheless, he assured that he was mentally prepared to be arrested.
“London Plan”
My message for my nation.https://t.co/Evu9soBX69
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
Khan said in the video address that his arrest was a part of the “London Plan,” which he says is orchestrated by incumbent PM Shehbaz Sharif’s brother, former PM Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in London.
He said, “In the London plan, it has been decided to put Imran Khan in jail, defeat PTI, and finish all cases of Nawaz Sharif. Putting me in jail is part of the London plan. This has no relation with the law and I have not committed any crime.”