PTI workers protest as police attempt to arrest Imran Khan

The Islamabad Police led by SP City Hussain Tahir on Sunday delivered arrest notice at former prime minister Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence and left, while IG Islamabad said that next phase would be to arrest the PTI chief for his persistent absences from Toshakhana court hearings, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

Officers from the Islamabad arrived at Imran Khan's home in Lahore, which was surrounded by hundreds of his supporters, but were unable to find him.

"A team of Islamabad police has arrived in Lahore to arrest Imran Khan to comply with the court orders," Islamabad police said in a tweet.

The arrest warrant was issued after Imran failed to appear before the court in Toshakhana case on February 28.

He is accused of failing to declare gifts received during his time in office, or the profit made from selling them.

The SP City said that he showed arrest warrant at Imran’s Zaman Park residence and delivered a notice about his arrest.

The notice was received by PTI leader Shibli Faraz.

the SP further said that police had reached Zaman Park to comply with the court orders. 

SHO Secretariat Police Station Islamabad Nadeem Tahir was present outside Imran’s Zaman Park residence with heavy contingent of police. A police van was also present there with Inspector Nadeem Tahir. 

IG Islamabad Dr Akbar Nasir said that the law was equal for all. The court had issued orders to arrest the PTI chief. He said police had to produce Imran before court on March 7. The first phase was to convey notice to Imran Khan and the second one would be to arrest him. He said any attempt to obstruct execution of court orders will be dealt with sternly.  

Meanwhile, Lahore police were gathering around Zaman Park. Police have ordered iron fences. On the other hand, PTI workers were also converging on Zaman Park. 

Additional force of Lahore police has been alerted. Personnel of Anti-riot Force were ready at Police Lines Qila Gujja Singh. The water cannon was ready for the purpose. 

Sources said that Imran Khan will be arrested from Zaman Park and shifted to Islamabad. For this purpose a plane was ready at Lahore airport. Preparations had been completed to transfer PTI chief to Adiala Jail after his arrest. The same cell has been prepared in Adiala Jail which was prepared for Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.  

As the Islamabad Police arrived at Imran’s house along with Punjab Police, the PTI workers surrounded them and a scuffle broke out between them. The PTI workers raised slogans against SP City Islamabad Hussain Tahir. 

The Islamabad Police and Lahore Police took back the SP city with them.  

Islamabad Police spokesperson said that the SP city went to Imran’ room but he was not there. He said that the Islamabad Police was taking action with the help of Lahore Police. He said the PTI chief was avoiding his arrest. 

Earlier, the Islamabad Police, led by SP City Hussain Tahir, reached Zaman Park to arrest former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan.

Imran Khan’s arrest warrants have been issued by Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal. The date on arrest warrants is recorded as February 28. The sessions court had ordered police to produce Imran before the court after arresting him in Toshakhana case on March 7.

Islamabad police said they will arrest Imran after meeting all legal formalities. 

The police had reached Zaman Park after complete preparation. They were not carrying any weapons with them. They had claimed that strategy had been evolved in case of any resistance during the arrest of the PTI chief. 

The court had issued non-bailabale arrest warrants for PTI Chief Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. 

PTI chief Imran Khan has summoned his legal team for consultations. 

Two cases had been registered against Imran over hooliganism at a court in Islamabad.    

       

Fawad Ch asks workers to gather at Zaman Park 

In his tweet posted after the news of Imran Khan’s arrest by Islamabad police spread, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has asked party workers to reach Zaman Park.

Fawad tweeted: Any attempt to arrest Imran Khan will seriously worsen the situation, I want to warn this incompetent and anti-Pakistan government not to push Pakistan into further crisis and act sensibly, the workers should reach Zaman Park.”

عمران خان کی گرفتاری کی کوئ بھی کوشش حالات کو شدید خراب کر دے گی، میں اس نا اھل اور پاکستان دشمن حکومت کو خبردار کرنا چاہ رہا پاکستان کو مزید بحران میں نہ دھکیلیں اور ہوش سے کام لیں، کارکنان زمان پارک پہنچ جائیں

— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) March 5, 2023

Later, speaking to the media persons, Fawad said that about 74 cases are registered against Khan of which 30 are criminal cases. 

"It is not possible for a human to appear in court in such a large number of cases," he added.

Berating the government, the PTI senior vice president said that it has destroyed the constitution and the economy.

The PTI leader called the workers to start preparing for protest in case Khan is arrested. "If anything happens, we give a call for peaceful nationwide protests," he added.

Meanwhile, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that they will consult with their lawyers regarding the notice sent to Imran Khan and announce the next strategy.

Qureshi said that the party chief has always respected the law and courts and even appeared before the court without security. 

"Even doctors did not permit Imran yet he appeared. We will follow the legal process but we need to be cautious," he said while speaking to journalists after Fawad.

Islamabad police warn of legal action against those obstructing execution of court orders

In its statement, the Islamabad police said: “According to the court orders, a team of Islamabad Police has reached Lahore to arrest Imran Khan.

“All operations are being completed with the cooperation of Lahore Police.

“Legal action will be taken against those obstructing the execution of court orders.

“Islamabad Police will transfer Imran Khan to Islamabad under their protection. Law is equal for all.”

اسلام آباد پولیس اپنی حفاظت میں عمران خان کو اسلام آباد منتقل کرے گی۔ قانون سب کے لیے برابر ہے۔
2/2#ICTP

— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) March 5, 2023

Imran Khan, who was shot during a rally last year, has attempted to disrupt politics in the South Asian nation since he was forced out of office in a no-confidence vote in April.

He has been pushing for early polls due no later than October by holding protests, pulling out of parliament and dissolving the two provincial assemblies his party controls in a bid to force the government's hand.

Reporters: Abid Chaudhry, Farzana Siddique and input from AFP