Pakistan Politics: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan and President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan has made a big claim regarding his arrest. He accused the Shehbaz government of planning his arrest, saying it was part of the ‘London plan’ to end all cases against the country’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
In a video message, Imran said, “It is part of London’s plan and an agreement has been signed there to put Imran in jail, bring down PTI and end all cases against Nawaz Sharif.” He said that he did not understand the reason behind the attack on the people as he had already assured that he would appear in the court on March 18.
Imran’s statement came to the fore amid tension in Lahore
The former prime minister’s remarks came amid tension prevailing in Lahore in the early hours of Wednesday. Let us tell you that on Tuesday, the police were called to arrest the former Prime Minister at his residence Zaman Park, where a standoff has been going on between the party supporters and the police for more than 14 hours over his arrest.
Imran called on his supporters to come out after police used tear gas and water cannons on supporters outside Zaman Park, leading to protests in Islamabad, Peshawar and Karachi. According to a Sama English report, the Punjab Police used water cannons and fired tear gas shells at Imran supporters and workers standing on both sides of Canal Road.
On the other hand, a large number of PTI supporters demonstrated outside the Press Club in Peshawar. After the protest, PTI workers blocked Shershah Suri Road and started marching towards Governor’s House. Islamabad Police said PTI protesters had blocked Tarnol Road but timely action was taken to reopen it for traffic.
Case registered against PTI workers who blocked the road
A police officer said that a case has been registered at Tarnol police station against the PTI workers who blocked the road on the orders of Imran Khan. Two non-bailable arrest warrants were issued for the PTI chairman on Monday after he failed to appear in courts in cases related to Toshakhana and threatened a woman additional district and sessions judge.
The 70-year-old former prime minister is recovering from a bullet injury sustained in an assassination attempt in Wazirabad last year and has been on the run from hearing several cases, Dawn reported. The PTI chief was to appear before two district and sessions courts in Islamabad on Tuesday, but Imran’s lawyers filed a petition seeking exemption from the hearing citing security reasons. On 7 March, the IHC suspended Imran’s non-bailable arrest warrant till 13 March and directed him to appear before the sessions court.
Imran’s lawyer gave these arguments for not being produced
At the commencement of the proceedings on Tuesday, Imran’s counsel Khawaja Haris informed the court that his client would not be able to appear. Imran’s lawyer said, “He is not refusing to appear, but due to security threats, he cannot appear.”