Countrywide protests as workers ‘foil’ attempt to arrest Imran

ContinuEd fRom PAgE 01

‘Islamabad polIce arrIve to arrest

Imran’: Earlier in the day around 2:30pm, personnel of both the Punjab and Islamabad Police in armoured vehicles arrived outside the residence of Imran Khan in the Zaman Park neighbourhood of Lahore on Tuesday, with the intention to arrest the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party, and threw stones and chemical-adulterated water at protestors to keep them away.

However, the police have refused to disclose any information regarding the case in which they are taking action against Khan. “We are aware of the case, but we cannot discuss any details at this point,” Shahzad Bukhari, deputy operations chief of Islamabad police, said.

Witnesses on the scene reported that Mall Road had been blocked, and a number of party supporters had gathered outside the residence. In response, the Twitter account of the opposition party called on supporters and workers to gather outside Zaman Park and remain peaceful.

Bukhari informed reporters that officials had gathered outside Khan’s residence to serve an outstanding arrest warrant against the PTI chief.

However, Bukhari declined to discuss the details of the case. When asked where Khan would be taken once arrested, he said: “Let it first happen, then God willing, we will keep you informed.”

Bukhari emphasized that police had arrived to “serve the lawful process” and expected cooperation from others. He also called for the public gathered outside Khan’s residence not to take the law into their own hands.

When asked whether police would take action in case of chaos, he responded, “Yes, of course, if someone takes the law into their hands, then we will act in accordance with the law.”

Responding to the situation, Fawad Chaudhry, the senior vice president of the party, said the arrest warrants in the Toshakhana case, issued a day earlier, had been challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). He further mentioned the hearing for the case was expected to begin soon. Shibli Faraz and Barrister Gauhar Ali Khan have reportedly arrived at the IHC, he added. The court has ordered the police to produce him before the court by March 18.

IHc to take up Imran’s on Wednesday: On the other hand, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday rejected the request of PTI’s chairman Imran Khan seeking to fix his appeal for hearing on same day against his non-bailable arrest warrants in toshakhana case.

Chief Justice Aamer Farooq would take up the case for hearing on Wednesday (today) along with the objections raised by the Registrar’s office. The Registrar had objected to the petition for having no biometric verification.

The petition was moved by Imran Khan’s lawyer Intizar Panjutha Advocate. It prayed the court to suspend the non-bailable arrest warrants of his client in Toshakhana case. securIty concerns: Meanwhile, Hassaan Niazi, a member of the party, spoke to the media outside Zaman Park and said the PTI did not trust the police and expressed concerns about the safety of the former prime minister.

Niazi claimed the police had been warned about the anger of party workers after the death of Ali Bilal, Zilli-Shah. He also said he would check Khan’s availability and respond to the police accordingly.

Meanwhile, Farrukh Habib, another PTI leader, shared footage of officials outside Zaman Park and accused them of creating a situation that could endanger his life. Habib also claimed that appearing before a court in F-8 would be like walking into a “death trap.”

In a separate statement, Chaudhry accused the government of looting the Toshakhana, a state treasury, and criticised the police for targeting Khan’s arrest.

‘emergency commIttee’ formed to overlook ptI matters: Meanwhile, former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan constituted a six-member ‘emergency committee’ to overlook party matters in case of his arrest.

The six-member committee includes PTI vice chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Senator Saifullah Niazi, Senator Azam Swati, Ijaz Chaudhy, Murad Saeed and Ali Amin Gandapur.

The emergency committee will overlook the matters if Imran Khan gets arrested, as per a statement issued by the political party.

‘WIll arrest Imran kHan at all costs’: On the other hand, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the police will arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan today at any cost and produce him before the court.

Rana Sanaullah, while addressing the PML-N organizational convention in Faizpur on Tuesday, alleged that Imran Khan was “evil and will be put back in the bottle.” He further alleged that Imran Khan was evil and wanted to see agitation and anarchy in the country. The interior minister claimed that the country will face more destruction if Imran Khan is not removed from the elections. He alleged that the PTI chief was imposed on the country as a project and he did not spend a single day serving the country and the democracy.

Sanaullah said that Imran Khan always organise long marches, sit-ins and Jail Bharo Tehreek. He alleged that the PTI chief is now hiding under his bed like a rat.

He claimed that Imran Khan is fleeing from his arrest and they will produce him before the court soon.

While addressing the PML-N workers, Maryam Nawaz slammed the PTI chief once again and said that ‘coward’ Imran Khan is hiding like a rat today.

She, however, said that PML-N do not want such an election until justice is served to Nawaz Sharif. “Nawaz Sharif is still facing sentences and the culprit Imran Khan is walking freely. Elections will not be held in these circumstances. First, both scales should be balanced and then hold the elections.” protests break out In all major cItIes of country:

A series of organised and sporadic protests broke out in Karachi with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers blocking roads and disrupting traffic in several areas of the city.

PTI’s Karachi chapter said that they had shut down or were protesting at at least 14 different locations across the city. They include key routes and thoroughfares including Teen Talwar and Shaheen Complex in South district, Hyderi, the 4K Stop and Five Star roundabouts in Central district, Mauripur Road in West district and Landhi’s Dawood roundabout.

There were protests in Hassan Square, Qayyumabad and Rashid Minhas Road areas of East district, and the Star Gate area which falls in Faisal Cantonment and leads to the airport. There were protests at the Sohrab Goth as well and is one the main routes to the Super Highway.

PTI said that its MPA Shahnawaz Jadoon was arrested during a protest at Native Jetty Bridge.

The road to Numaish was re-opened for traffic after police dispersed protesters who had blocked the road.

There have been reports that police was using tear gas to disperse protesters at the Five Star roundabout.

The flow of traffic was badly disrupted on key thoroughfares after protesters barricaded roads with trucks and burning tyres.

The protests in Karachi began around 6pm with people going home from work stranded for hours at various locations including Hassan Square, University Road and Qayyumabad.

In Peshawar, PTI workers gathered in front of the Press Club and protested.