PTI activists clash with police as Imran Khan reaches Islamabad court
PTI workers burn down police post, pelt stones at police: Toshakhana case hearing shifted to Judicial Complex from Islamabad district court: Section 144 imposed in federal capital: Internet service suspended
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PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s appearance faced a delay in Islamabad on Saturday as his party workers clashed with police burning down and checkpost and pelted stones at the cops, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The PTI workers also climbed the armoured vehicles which the police brought to the scene, after which the police retaliated as fired tear gas shells at the activists.
Earlier police arrested several PTI workers as Imran Khan reached the Judicial Complex where the Toshakhana case is being heard.
Imran Khan’s lawyer Babar Awan moved an application in the court stating that his client wanted to come to the court but intense shelling by police is preventing them to enter the court.
Earlier, Imran Khan reached Islamabad from Lahore on Saturday afternoon to appear in court in connection with Toshakhana case while the authorities threw a blanket security in the federal capital to avoid any violence.
Imran Khan's lawyer has moved an application in the court that his client was not being allowed to reach the court at the Judicial Complex.
'Plan to arrest me'
"I am going to the Islamabad court right now. I want to tell you all that they have made a plan to arrest me," he said in a video message from the motorway, claiming he was the target of a plot to stop him from standing in elections due by October.
"The point of their attack on my house was not to present me before the Islamabad court. The purpose was to put me in jail."
عمران خان کا قافلہ سرینگر ہائی وے پہنح گیا#چلو_چلو_عمران_کے_ساتھ pic.twitter.com/e2J4jbmYP0
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 18, 2023
A large number of PTI leaders and supporters accompanied the former prime minister as he left his Zaman Park residence for the federal capital through Motorway.
چیئرمین عمران خان کا خصوصی بیان۔
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 18, 2023
#چلو_چلو_عمران_کے_ساتھ pic.twitter.com/8c0l0aC5eC
Prominent among them were Gilgit Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid, Azam Swati, Faisal Javed and Ali Afzal Sahi.
Many PTI activists are expected to join the Imran Khan convoy on his way to Islamabad.
Chairman Imran Khan's welcome in Sheikhupura !!!
— Musa Virk (@MusaNV18) March 18, 2023
#چلو_چلو_عمران_کے_ساتھ pic.twitter.com/rR030j8Org
Amid tight security, Imran Khan will now appear in Judicial Complex after his demand to shift the case from Islamabad’s district and sessions court was accepted.
The Islamabad High Court had suspended his non-bailable arrests warrants in Toshakhana case on Friday and ordered to appear in sessions court on Saturday (today). The Lahore High Court had also granted the PTI chief protective bail in a string of cases to clear the way for his exit from Zaman Park where police and Rangers personnel had launched an operation to arrest him but so far could succeed.
چئیرمین عمران خان کا قافلہ اسلام آباد کی جانب روانہ اپنے کپتان کی حفاظت کے لئے آپ سب بھی اسلام آباد پہنچیں #چلو_چلو_عمران_کے_ساتھ pic.twitter.com/iV0u9ZTMSE
— Munaza Hassan (@MunazaHassan) March 18, 2023
After acceptance of his demand to shift the case, Imran Khan will now attend the court hearing at Judicial Complex in G11 instead of Islamabad district court at F8.
The authorities have bolstered the security arrangements on the eve of Imran Khan’s appearance in court and have imposed Section 144 in the federal capital.
Imran Khan will appear in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal who had summoned the PTI chief for indictment in Toshakhana case.
Internet service suspended
As part of a security arrangements, authorities suspended internet service in parts of Islamabad.
The service was suspended in different sectors around Judicial Complex.
Ban on carrying arms
Police in Islamabad said there was no permission to allow any armed person in the federal capital after enforcement of Section 144.
The police said weapons will be taken away from the people travelling with PTI caravan from Lahore before their entry into Islamabad.
They also urged Punjab government not to let armed persons to travel with the rally.
PTI leaders list changed
There was a change in the list of PTI leader who will accompany Imran Khan in the court.
The number of such leaders has been increased from six to 14.
Asad Umar, Shibli Faraz, Omar Ayub, Fawad Chaudhry, Murad Saeed, Amir Kiyani, Pervaiz Khattak, Asad Qaiser, Atif Khan, Mahmood Khan and Shah Farman will go to court with Imran Khan.
The Judicial Complex staff will only be allowed entry after checking their office cards.
Imran’s legal team
The lawyers team of Imran Khan reached Judicial Complex gate but they were not allowed entry, said PTI leader Shibli Faraz.
Imran’s chief of security staff was also not allowed to enter.
PTI’s Babar Awan did not waste any time and moved an application in the court about ban on entry of PTI lawyers, media and security staff.
Section 144 in Rawalpindi
The authorities in adjoining city of Rawalpindi also imposed Section 144, banning any kind of political gathering in the city.
The step was taken on the advice of Rawalpindi deputy commissioner.
Pain ball use
The police have planned to use paint balls to identify PTI trouble-makers in case of any untoward situation arises.
The police will fire paint balls on the trouble-makers to mark them which could lead to their arrest.
Srinagar Highway Toll Plaza
As soon as the Imran Khan’s vehicle crossed the toll plaza on Srinagar Highway, the motorway was blocked and the remaining PTI convoy was stopped from moving ahead.
Only Imran Khan’s and few other vehicles could pass before the motorway was blocked by police. The PTI leaders and workers protested the blockade of remaining convoy.
Reporters Ehtisham Kiyani, Tayyab Saif and Mehar Ali Akbar