ALBAWABA - Pakistan riot police used water cannon and teargas to push back supporters of former prime minister Imran Khan, who gathered outside his house to prevent officers from arresting him for failing to appear in court on graft charges.
Tear gas cannisters were fired following a night of violent clashes between security personnel and the former prime minister’s supporters as attempts by authorities to arrest him stretched into a second day.
Rangers firing straight into unarmed citizens at Zaman Park as if they are attacking an enemy force on the battlefield. pic.twitter.com/dK8mlLHA4Y
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
Pakistani police and supporters of Imran Khan fought pitched battles on Tuesday outside the former prime minister's home in the eastern city of Lahore, injuring several on both sides, ahead of his possible arrest, a government spokesman and witnesses said.
Imran Khan’s residence has become a war zone - Pakistan doesn’t anymore even pretend to be a democracy! pic.twitter.com/sb17dZAvTy
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) March 15, 2023
Early Wednesday, Khan emerged from his house to meet with his supporters, who had faced tear gas and police batons through the night to save him from arrest.
He said he was ready to travel to Islamabad on March 18 under his arrest warrant, but police did not accept the offer.
"What crime did I commit that my house has been attacked like this?" he asked in a tweet.
My message to the nation to stand resolute and fight for Haqeeqi Azadi & rule of law. pic.twitter.com/bgVuOjsmHG
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
Who is Imran Khan?
Imran Ahmed Khan Niazi, born Oct. 5, 1952 in Lahore, Pakistan, is a Pakistani politician and former cricket captain who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan from August 2018 until April 2022, and later remained in politics, but as a critic of government corruption in Pakistan.
