Police arrived in a helicopter to arrest former Pakistan PM Imran Khan. (File)
Lahore:
Pakistan’s ousted premier Imran Khan Monday led a march of 1000’s of his supporters as Islamabad police arrived right here to arrest him after two non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued towards him, a day after he known as off his occasion’s election rally following a ban on public gatherings in Punjab’s provincial capital.
The 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician’s supporters threw rose petals at a convoy carrying him to Information Darbar shrine the place he’s anticipated to deal with his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf staff. A lot of girls additionally joined the rally.
Khan left his Zaman Park residence as Islamabad police arrived in Lahore on a particular helicopter to arrest the PTI chief after two non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued towards him for failing to look in courts within the Toshakhana case and for threatening a girl Justice of the Peace whereas addressing a public gathering right here final yr.
Earlier, the Lahore district administration met with the occasion’s management to debate the rally, its route and safety preparations.
The district administration, nonetheless, imposed a situation that no chief would give a press release towards the judiciary or every other establishment.
Because the caretaker authorities had directed the PTI management to finish the rally at 5.30pm, it couldn’t attain its vacation spot (Information Darbar shrine) at 7.45pm. Khan is main the rally whereas sitting in a bomb-proof automotive.
Senior PTI chief Fawad Chaudhry has warned the federal government towards any try to cease the rally. “Watch the scenes of the rally in Lahore right now and perceive that stopping Imran Khan is like inviting folks’s wrath,” he stated.
Khan on Sunday known as off his occasion’s deliberate election rally in Lahore after Punjab’s caretaker authorities banned public gatherings within the provincial capital.
In a televised deal with, Khan on Saturday introduced that he’ll lead an election marketing campaign rally in Lahore on Sunday and urged his supporters and staff to take part in face of the police brutality purportedly dedicated towards the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf occasion.
Quickly after his announcement, the native administration enforced Part 144 within the provincial capital and banned public gatherings, citing issues within the wake of a Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) cricket match within the metropolis.
Khan’s occasion approached Election Fee places of work and the courts towards the federal government’s transfer, saying the imposition of Part 144 ought to be declared null and void.
Later, in a shock transfer, he postponed the rally, calling on his staff to “not fall into this lure”.
“It appears once more Sec 144 has been imposed illegally solely on the PTI election marketing campaign as all different public actions are ongoing in Lahore. Solely Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers & heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab CM & police wish to provoke clashes to file extra sham FIRs towards PTI ldrshp & staff & to make use of as a pretext for suspending elections (sic),” Khan tweeted.
He informed his supporters “to not fall into this lure”.
“Therefore, now we have postponed the rally until tomorrow,” he tweeted.
Nevertheless, Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that no ban had been imposed on political actions within the metropolis. “All political events are freely allowed to marketing campaign,” he tweeted.
One activist of Khan’s occasion was killed on Wednesday throughout a crackdown on his supporters who gathered outdoors his residence in Lahore, defying a authorities ban on rallies within the metropolis.
In the meantime, the Lahore police booked Khan in one other case associated to the killing of a PTI employee – Ali Bilal alias Zille Shah – in a highway accident.
Earlier, the Lahore police had registered an FIR towards Khan and 400 others for the homicide of Shah.
“The brand new FIR has been registered towards Imran Khan, Fawad Chaudhry, Dr Yasmin Rashid and a lot of different PTI males for abetment to homicide, concealing information and proof associated to the loss of life of Zille Shah,” a senior police officer informed PTI.
He stated the police could arrest Khan and others nominated within the FIR after route from the “prime”. The PTI had accused the police of homicide of Shah after inflicting brutal torture on March 8.
That is the 81th FIR towards Khan for the reason that PML-N led federal coalition got here into energy 11 months in the past after toppling his authorities via a no-confidence movement.
Khan was ousted from energy in April after dropping a no-confidence vote in his management, which he alleged was a part of a US-led conspiracy concentrating on him due to his unbiased international coverage selections on Russia, China, and Afghanistan.
Featured Video Of The Day
RRR At Oscars 2023: Naatu Naatu Supremacy – Blockbuster Hit Wins Greatest Unique Track
