Amid the clashes outside his house, the former Pakistan Prime Minister released a video message for his supporters and urged them to continue the “struggle” even if something happens to him in prison.
In the video message, Imran Khan asked his supporters to “stand up with full courage and determination”.
“Police have come to arrest me. They think that after I am arrested, the nation will fall asleep. You have to prove them wrong. I’m fighting for you and if something happens to me, if I’m killed in jail, you have to prove that the country will keep on fighting, do not accept the decisions made by one person,” Imran said.
My message to the nation to stand resolute and fight for Haqeeqi Azadi & rule of law. https://t.co/bgVuOjsmHG
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) 1678796876000
Here are the key developments …
Police arrive at Imran Khan’s residence in Lahore to arrest him
A heavy contingent of police on Tuesday surrounded the residence of Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan in Lahore as Islamabad police intended to arrest him in the Toshakhana case.
The police blocked all roads leading to the house of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman by placing containers and riot personnel took positions to launch the operation.
Face off between Pakistan police, Imran Khan’s supporters
Pakistani police and supporters of Imran Khan clashed on outside his home in injuring several on both sides, ahead of his possible arrest. A few hundred Khan supporters gathered outside the house after a police team arrived from Islamabad to arrest him on a court order.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers started the violence, which injured several police officials,government spokesman Amir Mir told Reuters
“If Imran Khan ensures his presence in the court, it will be good, otherwise the law will take its course,” he added.
Police use water cannon, tear gas on Imran Khan’s supporters; Islamabad DIG injured
Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse supporters of Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan who gathered to prevent his arrest. TV footage showed police slowly approaching the Zaman Park residence of Khan behind an armoured vehicle that was dispersing his supporters with a water cannon.
His supporters pelted stones at the policemen. Both Khan’s party workers and policemen were injured.
‘Police to serve lawful process’
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.
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, Dawn reported.
(With agency inputs)