Party workers started stoning police officials as they baton-charged the crowds; Islamabad DIG reportedly injured
Lahore
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police clashed on Tuesday in Lahore’s Zaman Park area after a contingent of the Islamabad police, along with armoured vehicles, reached party chief Imran Khan’s Lahore residence to arrest the former premier after non-bailable warrants were issued in the ongoing Toshakhana (gift depository) case against him.
The official Twitter handle of the party urged supporters and workers to gather outside the residence and ‘remain peaceful’. However, PTI workers reportedly started stoning police officials as the police began baton-charging the crowds, turning Zaman Park into a battleground. Police allegedly used water canons to hold back PTI workers, with some being taken into custody.
According to Express News, a heavy contingent of Lahore Police accompanying the capital police is also outside Imran’s house, and the police have blocked all the roads leading to the neighbourhood.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Islamabad Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari reportedly injured in the clashes and taken to Services Hospital for treatment. The PTI also urged its workers and supporters to hold countrywide protests against Imran Khan’s likely arrest.
Following the call, protests also began in Karachi against the possible arrest of Imran Khan. PTI workers forced major highways to shut. Orangi Town, 4K Stop, Five Star Chowrangi, Dawood Chowrangi, and Maripur were closed for all traffic.
Protests are also ongoing on the highways of Qayyumabad, Star Gate, Shaheen Complex, Sohrab Goth, and Hassan Square. In Peshawar, PTI workers gathered in front of the Press Club and protested. In Rawalpindi, PTI workers were directed to reach Committee Chowk to stage a protest demonstration.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Police in a statement has said legal action would be taken against those who were obstructing the implementation of the court orders regarding the arrest of Imran Khan.
An ICT Police team had been in Lahore since yesterday to comply with the court orders and the Punjab Police were extending their support to it, an Islamabad Police spokesperson said.
He said the Deputy Inspector General (Operations) and the Senior Superintendent of Police were safe.
DIG Bukhari earlier arrived at the scene with an armoured vehicle and a police team to ensure compliance with the arrest warrant.
