Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, accused the federal government of planning his arrest, saying it was all part of a “London plan” to finish all cases against Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
In a video message, Imran said, “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.” He further stated that he doesn’t understand the reason behind the attack on people as he had already assured that he will be present in court on March 18.
These comments came as the tension prevailed in Lahore in the early hours of Wednesday. More contingents were called to PTI chairman’s Zaman Park residence — where a stand-off between party supporters and law enforcers has been going on for more than 14 hours — for the former prime minister’s arrest.
Imran said to prevent any chaos, he had given an undertaking to the Lahore High Court Bar Association president who then attempted to forward it to the DIG who was coming to arrest the PTI chief but the latter did not meet the president.
“According to Code of Criminal Procedure Section 76, if this surety bond is given to the arresting officer, then I cannot be arrested,” Imran said.
The PTI chief stated that the DIG had no reason to refuse the undertaking and pointed to malicious intent.
Protests erupted in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi after Imran called on his supporters to “come out” in response to police use of tear gas and a water cannon outside Zaman Park.
According to Samaa English, the Punjab police sought more water cannons on both sides of Canal Road and fired tear gas shells at PTI workers.
A large number of PTI supporters demonstrated outside the press club in Peshawar. Following the protest, PTI workers blocked Sher Shah Suri Road and began marching towards the Governor House.
Islamabad police said PTI protesters had blocked Tarnol Road but timely action had been taken to reopen it for traffic. “A case has been registered in Tarnol Police Station against the PTI workers who blocked the road on the orders of Imran Khan,” a police officer said.
