After days of legal wrangling and extensive battles between his supporters and the police, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan went to court on Saturday. He took to social media with a video message and claimed that ‘they had made a plan to arrest me’. Khan was ousted in a vote of no confidence last year. Since then, he has pressured the fragile coalition government that succeeded him to hold an early election.
Meanwhile, Pakistan police raided his house in an upscale Lahore neighborhood after blocking nearby roads and suspending mobile services in the area. Islamabad has also been put on high alert, with around 4,000 security officials – including elite police commandos, anti-terror squads and paramilitary rangers – deployed in the area.
Imran Khan now returns to Lahore
“Imran Khan has marked his presence in court as ordered and is now returning to Lahore,” said his aide Fawad Chaudhry.
Imran Khan to mark participation from outside the court
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan was allowed to mark attendance while outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex as clashes between PTI supporters and police continued. According to a report by Dawn, Additional District and Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal said the hearing and appearance ‘cannot proceed’ under the present circumstances. A new date will be set for the hearing.
“All those gathered here should disperse after marking attendance. There is no need for shelling or pelting (with stones), the hearing cannot be held today,” the judge said.
AK-47 assault rifles, bullets found from Imran Khan’s home, Pakistani police say
Police have evacuated former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s residence in Zaman Park after allegedly finding assault rifles and a bullet hole and detained over 60 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers on charges of resorting to violence to obstruct the law, Geo News reported.
Imran Khan waits outside court as PTI supporters clash with Pakistan police
Clashes broke out between security forces and supporters of Imran Khan outside the court complex on Saturday. The former prime minister claims that he is waiting outside the Judicial Complex and is not being allowed to enter.
The media watchdog bans direct coverage of court proceedings
Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog on Saturday banned satellite TV channels from broadcasting live coverage of events outside the Islamabad court where former prime minister Imran Khan is scheduled to appear.
Protesters shell court complex, Islamabad Police say
What did the police find in Imran Khan’s home?
According to an AP report citing senior police officer Suhail Sukhera, baton-wielding Khan supporters had tried to resist the officials by throwing stones and petrol bombs. The officers moved on until a man on the roof of Khan’s residence opened fire.
Sukhera said police broke open the front door of Khan’s residence and found masks, petrol-filled bottles, iron rods and batons used in attacks on police during the week. Sukhera said that inside the sprawling residence, illegal structures were erected to protect those who have been involved in attacks on police that have injured dozens of officers.
Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan goes to court, fears arrest
“It is now clear that despite being granted bail in all my cases, the government (Pakistan Democratic Movement Coalition) intends to arrest me. Despite knowing their evil intentions, I am proceeding to Islamabad and the court because I believe in the rule of law,” Khan said on Twitter.
“It is also clear now that the whole siege of Lahore was not about ensuring that I appeared in court in a case, but intended to put me in jail so that I am not able to lead our election campaign,” he added.