Imran Khan
Pakistan: Imran Khan not arrested yet despite hours-long stand-off in Lahore
Lahore: PTI chief Imran Khan, who is facing arrest in the Toshakhana case, is still not arrested, several hours after his party men clashed with the police close to Lahore's Zaman Park residence of the former Pakistan PM on Tuesday, media reports said.
The police resorted to tear gas shelling to disperse PTI supporters who had gathered outside Khan's residence to show support for Khan.
The police reached the residence of the former PM to arrest him in the Toshakhana case. It is the only case in which his arrest warrants have not been suspended.
PTI workers also protested in other parts of the country on Tuesday to show solidarity with the former PM.
Protests were seen in Karachi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Vehari, Peshawar, Quetta, and Mianwali.
According to local media reports, several police and PTI workers were injured in the incident.
"If I'm arrested or killed, fight for Haqeeqi Azadi [true freedom movement] must continue," Khan was quoted as saying by Geo News.
Khan was removed from power last year after facing a no-confidence motion.
Khan told BBC: "I'm mentally prepared that I'm going to be spending my night in a cell," he said. "I don't know how many nights, but I'm all prepared for that."
Meanwhile, Pakistan's President Arif Alvi expressed he is 'deeply saddened' by the incidents which occurred in Lahore.
I am deeply saddened by today's events. Unhealthy revenge politics. Poor priorities of govt of a country that should focus on economic misery of the people. Are we destroying political landscape? Am concerned about safety & dignity of @ImranKhanPTI like that of all politicians.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) March 14, 2023
"I am deeply saddened by today's events. Unhealthy revenge politics. Poor priorities of govt of a country that should focus on economic misery of the people. Are we destroying political landscape? Am concerned about safety & dignity of @ImranKhanPTI like that of all politicians," Alvi tweeted.
What is Toshakhana Case?
The reference, which alleges that Imran had not shared details of the gifts he retained from the Toshakhana (during his time as the prime minister) and proceeds from their reported sales, was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year. On October 21, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had concluded that the former premier had indeed made “false statements and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts, reports Dawn News.
The Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division, the newspaper reported.
The watchdog’s order had even said that the former Pakistan PM stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.
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