Watch: Pakistan calls off operation to arrest Imran Khan after violence

Embattled Pakistani security forces called off their efforts to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan after the Lahore High Court ordered the police to call off the operation till Thursday morning. The court was hearing a petition by Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to cancell the arrest warrant against their leader.

The efforts to arrest Khan turned into a two-day spectacle as his combative supporters resisted Pakistani security personnel in Lahore for the second day today.

On Wednesday, personnel from various security units like the Islamabad Police, Punjab Police and Rangers began firing and shelling at protestors outside Khan’s residence at Zaman Park in Lahore in their second attempt to arrest Khan. Khan’s supporters too reportedly pelted stones at the police.

Khan told the media that the establishment should end this farce of arresting him as the workers of his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), are not listening to Imran anymore. He alleged that the government wants to abduct and assassinate him.

The former prime minister warned of anarchy as people in all major Pakistani cities came out on the streets in protest against his possible arrest.

Even as the efforts to arrest Khan have turned into a stalemate, a war of words broke out between his party PTI and the security agencies. PTI leaders alleged that Khan’s residence was under extreme attack while the Punjab Police said that 54 policemen are seriously injured.

On Tuesday, when the police had made its first attempt to arrest Khan, a senior officer of the Islamabad Police had been injured and had to be carried out to safety. Khan’s supporters had begun stone-throwing on Tuesday which they contined today as well. Angry supporters set fire to buildings and vehicles near Khan’s residence.

 

Meanwhile, Khan has not only neem exhorting his supporters to come out on the streets but has also been tweeting against the government and giving interviews to the media. He again told party workers that in case he is arrested they should come out and show their might against the government.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Khan will be arrested at all costs.

Also read: Violent clashes outside Imran Khan’s Lahore residence as police try to arrest him