New Delhi: Calm has now ensued after several people were injured on Wednesday, March 15, amid clashes between Pakistan’s ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s supporters and police officials outside his Lahore residence. The situation unfolded as the officials came to arrest Khan a day earlier over his non-appearance in court.
Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper has reported that the Lahore High Court has summoned the Punjab inspector-general, chief secretary and Islamabad police (operations) heads over the clashes after hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party leader Fawad Chaudhry, seeking peace.
A day ago, Islamabad Police had arrived at Zaman Park, Khan’s Lahore residence, along with Punjab Police and Rangers to act on non-bailable arrest warrants issued against Khan in a case alleging he illegally sold gifts received as PM. In response, PTI workers pelted stones at police, who retaliated with tear gas.
The personnel have now withdrawn. International media has especially taken note of the use of the Rangers in the arrest operation.
PTI supporters also clashed with police in several other cities of Pakistan, including Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta, and Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, Khan tweeted that the officials were “firing straight into unarmed citizens” as if they were “attacking an enemy force on the battlefield.”
Rangers firing straight into unarmed citizens at Zaman Park as if they are attacking an enemy force on the battlefield. pic.twitter.com/dK8mlLHA4Y
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
The Punjab provincial government said that more than 100 police officers were injured.
Khan has also claimed that the latest attack pits the “largest political party” against the army.
My house has been under heavy attack since yesterday afternoon. Latest attack by Rangers, pitting the largest pol party against the army. This is what PDM and the enemies of Pakistan want. No lessons learnt from the East Pakistan tragedy. pic.twitter.com/SBcrCcYEo5
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
He also alleged that the claim that the security forces were there to arrest him was “mere drama” and said that their real intention was to “abduct and assassinate” him.
Clearly "arrest" claim was mere drama because real intent is to abduct & assassinate. From tear gas & water cannons, they have now resorted to live 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. pic.twitter.com/5LZtZE8Ies
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
This was the second attempt by the officials to detain Khan, who failed to appear in court to defend charges against him. He has been accused of illegally selling state gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries while he held office from 2018 to 2022 before being ousted in a no-confidence vote.
Khan has accused the current government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif of plotting the cases against him.
(With DW inputs)