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Imran Khan, a former prime minister of Pakistan, claimed today amid intense commotion on the streets of Lahore over attempts to take him into custody that the “true intent” of Pakistani police is to kidnap and assassinate him and that the arrest plot was “mere drama.”
After his supporters prevented police from apprehending him from his Lahore residence, the head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf made the serious accusation in a Twitter post. The armed men reacted with water cannons to the stones that were hurled at them.
Reinforcements have been requested as the altercation between his supporters and police officers persists.
After our workers & ldrship faced police onslaught since yesterday morning of tear gas, cannons with chemical water, rubber bullets & live bullets this morning; we now have Rangers taking over & are now in direct confrontation with the people. My question to the Establishment,
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
Khan today tweeted visuals of bullet shells and said they show the police’s “mala fide intent”.
“The ‘arrest’ claim was clearly a ruse because the real goal is to abduct and assassinate. They’ve progressed from tear gas and water cannons to live fire. I signed a surety bond last night, but the DIG refused to even contemplate it. “There is no doubt about their nefarious intentions,” he added.
In connection with the Toshakhana corruption case, the 70-year-old politician and legendary cricketer is sought. The Pakistani election commission found him guilty of selling gifts he got from foreign dignitaries while serving as prime minister illegally last October. A corruption-prevention court then brought charges against him, and last week it issued an arrest warrant after Khan failed to appear.
After Khan urged his followers to “come out,” they took to the streets in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi.
“Police have shown up to take me into custody. They believe that the public will fall asleep if Imran Khan is imprisoned. In a video message sent out last night, he said, “You have to show them wrong and show that the qaum (people) is living.
“You have to battle for your rights, you have to hit the streets. Imran Khan has received everything from God. I am waging your battle. I’ve fought my entire existence and will continue to do so. But if something occurs to me and they imprison or kill me, you must demonstrate that you can fight even without Imran Khan,” he added.
Khan has pushed for immediate elections ever since he was forced from office as prime minister last year. His successor, Shehbaz Sharif, has turned down the proposal.
