Pakistan police and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan continued to clash as he remained holed up in his Lahore residence ahead of his possible arrest.
Here are 10 points from this big story:
- In October last year, Imran Khan, 70, was found guilty by Pakistan’s election commission of unlawfully selling gifts to foreign dignitaries. Charges were filed against the cricketer-turned-politician in an anti-corruption court last week. An arrest warrant was issued after Mr Khan skipped summons.
- Under Pakistani law governing Islamabad’s “Toshakhana” – meaning “treasure house” in Persian – politicians can retain official state gifts by paying a certain percentage of their value to the government.
- Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party claimed that his residence is under “extreme attack” and has called for support. “Open firing by Rangers and Police. Zaman Park is under extreme attack!! Everyone must reach asap!!” PTI tweeted.
- Pakistan Police used water cannons and tear gas to push back hundreds of Mr Khan’s supporters who had gathered outside his house to prevent his arrest on Tuesday. One activist of Mr Khan’s party was killed during the clash with police.
- Mr Khan accused the Pakistani government of plotting his arrest as part of a “London plan” to finish all cases against former PM Nawaz Sharif. “This is part of the London plan and an agreement has been signed there to put Imran in jail, make the PTI fall and finish all cases against Nawaz Sharif,” Mr Khan said in a video message.
- This is the second time in recent weeks that police were dispatched from Islamabad to serve Mr Khan with an arrest warrant after he skipped several court summons.
- As chaos ensued outside his residence, Mr Khan released a video message. stating: “The police have arrived to arrest me. They think that if Imran Khan goes to jail, the people will go to sleep. You have to prove them wrong, you have to prove that the qaum (people) is alive.”
- “You have to fight for your rights, you have to hit the streets. God has given Imran Khan everything. I am fighting your battle. I have fought all my life and will continue to do so. But if something happens to me, they put me in jail or kill me, you have to prove that you can fight even without Imran Khan. You have to prove that you will never accept this slavery and this rule by one man. Pakistan zindabad,” he added.
- On Monday, the Lahore police booked Mr Khan in a case related to the killing of the PTI worker – Ali Bilal alias Zille Shah – in a road accident. Earlier, the Lahore police had registered an FIR against Mr Khan and 400 others for Shah’s murder.
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Mr Khan is willing to give a surety bond that he will appear in court on Saturday, he said in a video shared on his official social media handles.
