Imran Khan Imran Khan wears gas mask as he steps out after cops withdraw following court halt on arrest
Lahore/IBNS: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was seen wearing a gas mask minutes after security forces withdrew from around his home on Wednesday.
The police and paramilitary rangers retreated after abandoning a series of roadblocks and checkpoints, ending a siege of his residence following violent clashes with hundreds of his supporters.
Imran Khan was seen standing outside his home, wearing a transparent gas mask and talking to supporters.
The Lahore High Court has directed police to stop operation at Zaman Park residence of Imran Khan till 10 am on Thursday, giving temporary relief to the PTI chief who is facing arrest in connection with the Toshakhana case.
LHC’s Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, while hearing a petition filed by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry seeking to stop the “atrocities” outside Zaman Park, passed these orders, reports Dawn News.
The police were seen retreating from the residence following the order given by the court, local media reported.
The police and PTI workers were engaged in a conflict since Tuesday when cops arrived at the former PM's residence to arrest him.
Earlier in the day, Islamabad Police, backed by Punjab Police and Rangers resumed efforts — which began on Tuesday — to arrest Khan who was removed as the PM of Pakistan last year with the passage of a no-confidence vote against him.
Imran Khan reportedly stepped outside his residence after the police retreated.
Wearing a mask, he was seen meeting the PTI workers outside his house.
The video of his meeting was shared on the official Twitter handle PTI.
Imran khan seen wearing protective gas mask in his residence while his supporters are risking their lives on streets. #imrankhanPTI #ImranKhanArrest #Zaman_Park_Lahore #ZamanPark_under_attack pic.twitter.com/Ak0TTSt7YV
— ntg (@9_0_9_0_1) March 15, 2023
The police have arrested 10 PTI workers so far.
Khan has claimed that the real intention of the Pakistani police was to 'abduct and assassinate' him and the plan to 'arrest' was nothing but a mere 'drama'.
"Clearly 'arrest' claim was mere drama because the real intent is to abduct & assassinate. From tear gas & water cannons, they have now resorted to living firing. I signed a surety bond last evening, but the DIG refused to even entertain it. There is no doubt of their mala fide intent," Khan tweeted.
Why is Khan facing arrest?
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.
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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