Islamabad, Pakistan – Clashes have erupted between the Pakistani police and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of his possible arrest in the eastern city of Lahore. Police on Tuesday fired tear gas and water cannons as hundreds of members and supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party gathered outside his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
Television images showed police approaching Khan’s residence accompanied by an armoured vehicle. Khan’s supporters were also seen throwing stones at the police.
Syed Shehzad Nadeem Bukhari, a senior officer in the Islamabad Police, told reporters they intended to arrest Khan.
“We are here to fulfil the warrant and to arrest Imran Khan,” he said.
Police earlier said they were going to Khan’s house to hand him over the two arrest warrants in alleged corruption and “terrorism” cases issued by a court in capital Islamabad on Monday.
One of the warrants relates to Khan, 70, allegedly threatening a female judge during one of his speeches last year. The other follows charges that Khan sold state gifts and concealed assets while in office as prime minister.
Since losing a vote of confidence in parliament in April last year, Khan has been demanding general elections in rallies across the country. He also called the cases against himpolitically motivated.
His successor Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected Khan’s demand to hold early polls, which are scheduled later this year (SOURCE: ALJAZEERA).
China says AUKUS alliance on 'path of error and danger' after submarine deal unveiled
