Imran Khan arrest live updates: Even if I’m killed, continue with the fight, Imran tells supporters as police arrive in Lahore to arrest him
Clashes erupted between police and PTI workers when the former approached Khan’s residence to arrest him.
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal, which heard the Toshakhana case on Monday, issued an arrest warrant for Imran and instructed the police to present him before the court on March 18. Following the directives, local media sources said police have been deployed outside his Zaman Park residence. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief was in the crosshairs for buying gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch he had received as the premier, at a discounted price from the state depository called Toshakhana and selling them for profit
اپنی قوم کو میرا پیغام ہے کہ پوری ہمت و استقامت سے کھڑی ہو اور حقیقی آزادی و قانون کی حکمرانی کیلئے میدانِ عمل میں ڈٹ جائے! pic.twitter.com/ln4hLFu8Sp
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
PTI workers have staged protests across other major cities including Faisalabad, Sargodha, Vehari, Quetta, and Mianwali, Geo News reported.
Protests break out in Karachi, Peshawar and Islamabad
“Our understanding is that the police can’t arrest Imran Khan because he has secured a protective bail from a high court,” aide Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters.
Live TV footage showed the supporters also using sling-shots and attacking the police with bricks and sticks.
A PTI leader reports shelling at Imran Khan’s house, requesting everyone to stay peaceful and patient.
“Democracy seems to be suspended in the country, no,” the leader asked.
19:14 (IST), Mar 14
We have come here just for the compliance of the court order. The workers started pelting the police with stones and bricks, and in response police directed a water cannon at them and in some cases baton charged them.”
– Deputy inspector general of police Syed Shahzad Nadeem
Imran Khan’s video message for supporters
Several injured on both sides as Pakistani police and supporters of Imran Khan clashed on Tuesday outside the former prime minister’s home in the eastern city of Lahore, a government spokesman and witnesses said.
Armoured police vehicles had arrived outside Zaman Park around 2pm
The PTI chairman said everyone should come out of their homes for their rights and “haqeeqi azaadi” (true freedom).
PTI vice-chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi asks police to show him the arrest warrant for Imran.
DIG Islamabad injured in clash between police and PTI supporters
18:14 (IST), Mar 14
Police have come to arrest me. They think that if I’m arrested, Pakistan will go into a slumber … I’m fighting for you … if something happens to me, if I’m killed you have to prove that the country will keep on fighting, do not accept the decisions made by one person.”
– Imran Khan in a video message
18:11 (IST), Mar 14
My message to my people is to stand up with full courage and determination and stand firm in the field of work for real freedom and rule of law!”
– Imran Khan in a video message
PTI vice-chairman SM Qureshi has come to Zaman Park to meet Imran
He also appealed to all the workers to reach Zaman Park
Senior PTI leader Farukh Habib told reporters that come what may Imran Khan would not surrender to police in fake cases.
“The arrest warrants in the case related to threatening a female judge were today suspended by the Islamabad High Court. Let’s see what new warrants police have brought with them now,” Habib said.
The police blocked all roads leading to the house of the PTI chairman by placing containers and riot personnel took positions to launch the operation.
A large number of PTI workers equipped with clubs were present outside the 70-year-old leader’s residence to resist the police action.
Clashes erupted between police and PTI workers when the former approached Khan’s residence to arrest him.
His supporters pelted stones at the policemen. Both Khan’s party workers and policemen were injured.
PTI workers allege chemicals are being used in water cannons, “breathing is difficult”
Television footage showed police slowly approaching the Zaman Park residence of Khan behind an armoured vehicle that was dispersing his supporters with a water cannon.
Police take control of Zaman Park residence’s gate amid scuffle with PTI workers, reports Pakistan’s Geo News
Islamabad police, PTI supporters clash outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence, reports Dawn
Pakistan-based newspaper Dawn’s website also reported Islamabad deputy inspector general (operations) Shahzad Bukhari, who was clad in riot-control gear and present at the spot, telling reporters that officials had gathered outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence to take the PTI chief into custody as there were outstanding warrants for his arrest.
Police take control of Zaman Park residence’s gate amid scuffle with PTI workers, reports Pakistan’s Geo News
Islamabad police, PTI supporters clash outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence, reports Dawn
Pakistan-based newspaper Dawn’s website also reported Islamabad deputy inspector general (operations) Shahzad Bukhari, who was clad in riot-control gear and present at the spot, telling reporters that officials had gathered outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence to take the PTI chief into custody as there were outstanding warrants for his arrest.
According to Dawn.com, a number of PTI workers have gathered outside Zaman Park.
Supporters could be seen pelting stones at the policemen, as per Pakistan’s Dawn.
Shortly after 2pm, armoured police vehicles had arrived outside Zaman Park residence in Lahore with the intention of arresting Imran.
According to Dawn, Islamabad police have deployed water cannon, tear gas as PTI supporters pelt stones outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence
In a related development, the federal government de-classified the record of Toshakhana gift beginning 2002 for the first time in Pakistan’s history, local media reported.
A 446-page record of gifts from 2002 to 2022 has been released, which includes the details of those received by the presidents and prime ministers, including Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Asif Ali Zardari, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. All of them took away jewel-class sets and other gifts by paying minimal or no costs at all, The News reported. Shehbaz Sharif is the only ruler who retained no expensive or jewel-class gift from the Toshakhana and surrendered them, The News reported revealing the latest Toshakhana record.
PTI workers gather outside Imran Khan’s residence: Pakistan’s Dawn News
Armoured police vehicles arrive outside Imran Khan’s residence in Lahore as a senior Islamabad police officer said police intended to arrest him.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief was in the crosshairs for buying gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch he had received as the premier, at a discounted price from the state depository called Toshakhana and selling them for profit.
((This report is Published by Times of India/ Agencies. The Kupwara Times holds no responsibility for its content. The Youth Kash Edit Only Headline of this Report)
