Lahore: (Staff Reporter) A heavy contingent of the Islamabad police had a clash with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and supporters outside party chief Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence.
According to the source, a number of people gathered on Canal Road despite obstructions put up by police hours earlier. The police team from the capital city reached Lahore to arrest Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. Police and the public clashed on Canal Road as a result of which some people were taken into custody and officials had to resort to baton-charge, water spray and tear-gas shelling.
As per details after issuance of non-bailable arrest warrants for PTI chief Imran Khan in Toshakhana case, a team of Islamabad police on Tuesday reached Lahore to get the court orders implemented. Police brandished the court order and warned people against creating law and order situation.
Furthermore speaking to reporters, DIG Operations Shahzad Bokhari, who was clad in riot gear, said the team had arrived to arrest the PTI chief. He said police had warrants for the arrest of Imran Khan who failed to appear before the court. Reports said the DIG was injured amid the police’s clash with the PTI activists who pelted stones.
Earlier, a police armored vehicle also reached Zaman Park at noon. On the other hand, activists of the PTI started gathering over there. Soon after reaching Lahore to get the arrest warrants implemented, the capital police had a consultative meeting with Lahore CCPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana. The meeting mulled various options to arrest the PTI chief.
Moreover they said consultations had been completed and plan finalized to confront any possible reaction by the PTI leaders and workers. A list of local PTI leaders and activists has been prepared. The Lahore police said any effort to obstruct law-enforcement agencies would be dealt with sternly. Sources further said the Islamabad police would contact the security officer of PTI chief Imran Khan.
The official Twitter handle of the PTI also asked the party supporters to reach Zaman Park. The Islamabad court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran Khan in the Toshakhana and judge threat cases over his continuous skipping of court hearings.
Heading 1: Police arrived Imran Khan’s home to arrest him
Meanwhile PTI chief Imran Khan in a short address to people said the police had arrived at his residence to arrest him. “They think that my arrest will snooze the public but you have to prove them wrong”, he added. He was fighting for the people, he said, as he had always done. He maintained that whether they arrested him or killed him, people had to continue the struggle.
Heading 2: Police should furnish arrest warrants: Shah Mehmood Qureshi
As per details PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Tuesday the police should furnish arrest warrants so that the party might consult with PTI chief Imran Khan, and asked the police to stop using force on PTI activists that gathered outside Mr Khan’s house.
Furthermore speaking to the media outside Mr Khan’s residence, he said Mr Khan might surrender himself to avert bloodshed, adding that the police had an agenda of bloodshed. “The party is ready for holding negotiations with the police over the matter,” he added.
Moreover he reiterated that the police should meet him. The police wanted to use force, he said, to thwart the way to elections in the province. He went on to say that Mr Khan would not surrender until the party completed its consultations. On another occasion, he said today’s.
Heading 3: Party approached IHC to challenge Imran Khan’s arrest warrants
PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said the party had approached the IHC to challenge Mr Khan’s arrest warrants. Taking to twitter, he shared a picture of the signed file showing that the court had taken up the plea for hearing and wrote, “IHC will hear the plea shortly”. However, raising an objection to the plea, the court later rejected his plea.
Earlier, PTI’s Hassan Niazi said the party would challenge the arrest warrant in the court as it did not trust the police. Meanwhile, Farrukh Habib also shared footage outside Zaman Park and said PTI’s chief was in danger and his appearance in the F-8 would not be less than death trap.
According to the source, PTI’s senior leader Fawad Chaudhry said the entire PDM government had looted the resources yet the police only wanted Imran’s arrest. On Monday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan did not appear before court due to security fears; however, he led an election rally in Lahore. An Islamabad court on Tuesday suspended arrest warrants for Imran Khan in the judge threat case till March 16.
Additional Sessions Judge Faizan Haider Gilani, while barring police from arresting Mr Khan, issued notices to both parties. The court adjourned hearing till March 16. However, in Toshakhana case, Imran’s arrest warrants are still effective.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.