LAHORE – A high-profile drama is going on in Pakistan right now as police are trying to disperse the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters and arrest former prime minister Imran Khan.
In a country on the verge of a financial collapse, the coalition government wants to arrest Khan at any cost. As heavy contingents of police and the paramilitary force Rangers reached Zaman Park once again on Tuesday to arrest Khan, PTI supporters put up a strong resistance and foiled all attempts of the law enforcement to arrest their leader from Tuesday morning to Wednesday morning.
On Tuesday evening, PTI’s legal team moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC), seeking suspension of the non-bailable arrest warrants issued for Khan by a lower court. The IHC told Khan’s lawyers that the court would hear the case on Wednesday.
Courts have issued warrants for Khan’s arrest in the Toshakhana case and a case wherein he was accused of threatening a lower court judge with consequences.
Amid the massive buildup outside his residence, Khan asked his party workers and supporters to keep fighting for the rule of law and come out on the streets.
“If I’m arrested or killed, the fight for Haqeeqi Azadi [true freedom] must continue,” Khan said in his message to the Pakistani nation through social media as most of the Pakistani media is not airing his statements.
اپنی قوم کو میرا پیغام ہے کہ پوری ہمت و استقامت سے کھڑی ہو اور حقیقی آزادی و قانون کی حکمرانی کیلئے میدانِ عمل میں ڈٹ جائے! pic.twitter.com/ln4hLFu8Sp
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
In his second message to the Pakistani nation late on Tuesday night, Khan said he sent a written assurance to the police that he would appear in the court on March 18, but the police officer did not meet his lawyer or receive the assurance. Under the law, he said, the police could not arrest a person once he gives in writing that he would appear in the court in compliance with the judge’s orders.
اپنی قوم کے لئے میرا پیغام!pic.twitter.com/Dv3i9X0S1J
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023