Imran Khan’s supporters exterior his Lahore residence (AFP)
New Delhi/Lahore:
The supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan have blocked policemen from reaching his residence in Lahore to arrest him. The police are utilizing armoured autos fitted with water cannons amid stone-throwing by supporters of the previous Prime Minister who’s accused of corruption.
Hundreds of Mr Khan’s supporters gathered exterior his home after a police crew arrived from Islamabad to arrest him on a courtroom order, authorities spokesman Amir Mir advised information company Reuters.
Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staff began the violence, which injured a number of police officers, he mentioned, including, “If Imran Khan ensures his presence within the courtroom, it will likely be good, in any other case the legislation will take its course.”
Amid the protest, Mr Khan released a video statement, asking individuals to combat for his or her rights even when he’s jailed or killed. “The police have arrived to arrest me. They suppose that if Imran Khan goes to jail, the individuals will fall asleep. You should show them improper. You should show that the qaum (individuals) is alive,” Mr Khan mentioned.
“We have come right here only for the compliance of the courtroom order,” Deputy Inspector General of Police Syed Shahzad Nadeem advised reporters.
The PTI staff began throwing stones and bricks on the police, and in response the police directed water-cannon at them and in some circumstances baton charged them, he mentioned.
Live TV footage confirmed the supporters additionally utilizing sling-shots and attacking the police with sticks.
Pakistan’s election fee in October final 12 months discovered the 70-year-old cricketer-turned-politician responsible of unlawfully promoting items from international dignitaries.
The Federal Investigation Agency then filed costs in opposition to him in an anti-corruption courtroom, which final week issued the arrest warrant after Mr Khan failed to look in courtroom regardless of repeated summons.
Mr Khan has been demanding a snap election since his ouster from workplace in a parliamentary vote early final 12 months, a requirement that was rejected by his successor Shehbaz Sharif, who has mentioned the vote can be held as scheduled later this 12 months.
With inputs from Reuters