Pakistan police attempt to arrest ex-PM Imran Khan

Police in Pakistan said officers on Sunday attempted to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is battling several legal cases as he pressures the government for early elections.

In a series of tweets on Sunday, the police said Khan was “avoiding” arrest after officers arrived at his home in Lahore, adding that a police superintendent had “gone to the room” but the 70-year-old was not there, according to Al Jazeera. “Imran Khan is reluctant to surrender — the Superintendent of Police had gone into the room but Imran Khan was not present there.”

A Pakistani court on Tuesday issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Khan after he avoided hearings in connection with the illegal purchase and sale of gifts received from foreign dignitaries during his premiership.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) leader and former PM Imran Khan said that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and ISI chief wanted to remove him from their path. Khan later spoke to party workers in his Zaman Park house in Lahore, where police remained outside. He said: “I am being summoned in fake cases and the nation should know about them.” He added it will be a bad omen for the country if people do not stand up against the current rulers who are corrupt.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi, told reporters in Lahore: “We have received the notice from Islamabad police — the notice does not contain any order for the arrest.” He said “We will consult our lawyers and follow the legal process.”

Former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, who is one to top leaders of PTI, confirmed that the police had come to execute the warrant. “Police says Imran Khan is avoiding arrest. However, the police’s insistence to arrest Khan is illegal,” he said. “They want Imran Khan to go to court where security is lax and there’s a risk to his life.”

PTI workers of told to remain in compound of Imran Khan’s residence till night as “cops have surrounded the area”.

(With agencies inputs)