Imran Khan: Arrest warrant against Imran Khan cancelled in Toshakhana case; police raid his house in Lahore, claim to have recovered weapons: Key points

Police officers camped outside Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore for nearly a week to arrest him, allegedly forcibly entering the premises shortly after the former Prime Minister left the high court.
Meanwhile, on the way to Islamabad, a car in Khan’s convoy had an accident, causing the court appearance of Pakistan’s president Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to be postponed. Khan said this was purely part of a plan to arrest him so he could not lead the party’s election campaign.

Although the courts have granted Khan protection from arrest in 9 cases, including Toshakhana’s case, the director of PTI feared that he would be arrested. “I will go to court knowing they will arrest me because I believe in the law,” he said in a video message posted on Twitter.
Khan also told reporters that a committee had been set up to lead his party if he was arrested. “I’ve formed a committee that will obviously make a decision once – if – I’m in prison.”

The 70-year-old is scheduled to appear before the court of District and Additional Session Judge (ADSJ) Zafar Iqbal to participate in the proceedings over a complaint filed by the Election Commission of Pakistan. for allegedly concealing gift details in his estate declaration.
Here are the top developments:
Arrest warrant for Khan cancel
The arrest warrant for PTI Chairman Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case was dropped on Saturday as ADSJ Zafar Iqbal allowed him to leave after marking his attendance at the Islamabad High Court, due to clashes between the Islamabad Police and PTI staff outside the judicial complex.
The hearing was adjourned until March 30 with the judge ordering Imran to appear personally at the next hearing.
Police said they recovered weapons, petrol bombs from Imran .’s home
When former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was on his way to Islamabad, Punjab police launched a massive operation at his residence in Lahore and arrested dozens of his party’s workers and claimed to have seized weapons. and petrol bombs.
Police conducted a “major operation” at Khan’s Zaman Park residence and removed all camps and barricades erected by PTI activists there to prevent his arrest in the case. Toshakhana.
During the operation, 61 PTI workers were arrested and about 10 PTI workers and three policemen were injured.
“Today, we launched the operation at 12 noon. We encountered resistance from PTI workers. However, we managed to get the situation under control and arrested 61 workers,” said the Inspector General. Punjab police officer Usman Anwar said, adding that 20 rifles, including Kalashnikovs and petrol bombs. bottles were recovered from Khan’s residence.
Several bunkers have also been built in the Zaman Park area, he said, adding that a case against Khan in this regard will be registered.
He said Khan’s home was raided after police received a search warrant.
Khan took attendance, left the court
Due to the poor law and order situation outside the Islamabad High Court complex, where thousands of Khan’s supporters clashed with the police, District Judge and additional session Zafar Iqbal allowed the former Prime Minister to turn. again after grading attendance outside the judicial complex.
The judge said it would not be possible to hold a hearing due to the situation outside the court complex.
“The current situation, the hearing and the trial cannot proceed,” the judge said, adding: “All those gathered here should disperse after roll call. No need for shelling or skinning [of stones]The hearing could not be held today.
‘I’m waiting outside the court’
When Imran and his motorcade earlier arrived outside the complex, he alleged that he was not allowed to enter the court premises.
As reported by Dawn, Imran – in an audio message released to the media – said: “I’m waiting outside [judicial complex’s] door for 15 minutes and i was trying to get in but they sprayed pepper spray [shelling] and put up checkpoints and it seems like they don’t want me here.”
Even so, he reiterated that he was outside the complex and was trying to get in.
PTI supporters, police clash in front of judicial complex
Clashes broke out between Imran Khan’s supporters and police officers outside the Islamabad High Court, just before the PTI president was due to arrive at the judicial complex.

Thousands of Khan’s supporters had gathered near the complex even though Section 144 was already in place in Islamabad. As the former Prime Minister approached the high court, his supporters are said to have started throwing stones at the police.
In response, police fired tear gas bullets into the crowd. A police iron stake is also said to have set fire.

Police said on Twitter: “Political staff were asked to clear the way so that Imran Khan could go to court.
Police enter Khan’s Zaman Park residence
Reports from Lahore claimed that police took control of Khan’s residence in Zaman Park after deporting hundreds of PTI supporters.
Punjab police officers are said to have removed the barricade from the entrance of the property with an excavator and entered the premises. Police are said to have encountered resistance from PTI workers camping inside and responded with batons.

Several activists are said to have been detained. An unverified video posted by PTI shows police assaulting workers inside Khan’s mansion.
A separate video posted by an activist shows an electric shovel smashing through what appears to be the front gate of Zaman Park, then police officers can be seen entering the facility.

It was also reported that the police broke into the PTI director’s house by banging on the door. The staff also uprooted the camps that had been set up inside the premises.
Attack on my house: Imran Khan
Khan criticized the police operation underway at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
“Meanwhile, Punjab police carried out an attack on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum was alone,” he wrote on Twitter. “By what law are they doing this? It’s part of the London Plan, in which pledges are made to bring fugitive Nawaz Sharif to power as a barter if a date is agreed to. .”

The head of PTI confirmed that an “agreement” had been signed in London stating that “Imran must be sent to prison to destroy his party and end all cases against Nawaz Sharif”. Imran insists that his arrest has “nothing to do with the law” but is in fact part of a ‘London’ plot.
Strict security outside the supreme court
Strict security measures have been taken outside Islamabad’s G-11 judicial complex, where Khan is expected to arrive soon.

A large number of police have been deployed to the area to ensure the security of Khan, who survived an assassination attempt last November.
Khan said he knew the government would arrest him when he arrived at the Islamabad court to attend the Toshakhana case hearing amid a protracted effort by law enforcement to arrest him for missing out. previous hearings.
Section 144 in Islamabad
Islamabad authorities on Friday night imposed Section 144 in the capital, banning private companies, security guards or individuals from carrying weapons. Drivers are required to carry vehicle registration papers when driving.
In a tweet, the Metropolitan Police said a traffic plan had been issued and residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel to G-11 and G-10 areas.
“The chief commissioner of Islamabad has directed the people to cooperate with the authorities and avoid unnecessary travel to ensure the smooth execution of the transport plan.”
Protection from arrest
In a final hearing on Thursday, the court rejected Imran’s plea to suspend the unfunded arrest warrant issued against him.

However, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday suspended a non-custodial arrest warrant for Imran, giving him the opportunity to appear in court on Saturday.
During Friday’s hearing, Imran’s attorney Khawaja Haris filed a client affidavit guaranteeing that the head of PTI would appear in court on March 18.

Islamabad High Court suspends arrest warrant for Imran Khan