The Punjab police have conducted a raid at the residence of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan in Zaman Park, Lahore, and arrested over 13 PTI workers in an anti-encroachment operation. In retaliation, PTI workers injured one police constable. Heavy infantry from the anti-encroachment squad and police participated in the process, which involved the closure of the road leading to Zaman Park and removing tents outside Imran Khan’s residence. The police officials said they had an anti-terrorism court administrative judge issue a search warrant but were not allowed to search, forcing the police personnel to enter the premises. Imran Khan tweeted that the Punjab Police assaulted his wife, Bushra Begum, who was alone at the residence and questioned the operation’s legality, alleging it was part of a London plan to bring three-time prime minister and PML-N supremo to power. Imran Khan left for Islamabad to appear before a district and sessions court in a Toshakahan case, which had been moved from F-8 Court Complex to the Judicial Complex in G-11 due to security threats. The Islamabad police’s spokesperson stated that Section 144 had been imposed in the federal capital, and a traffic plan had been issued, advising citizens to avoid unnecessary movement towards the areas of G-11 and G-10.
Imran Khan Announces Committee to Lead Party if He is Arrested
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has formed a committee to lead his political party if he is arrested, he told Reuters before an appearance in court that had issued warrants for his arrest. Khan, a former cricket legend, has been leading protests since his ouster from power last year, resulting in several cases filed against him. He claims his political opponents and the military want to prevent him from running in the upcoming elections. Still, the government denies involvement in the cases, and the military says it remains neutral. Khan believes that he is at risk of arrest or assassination, and his arrest could trigger a strong reaction across Pakistan. He accuses the military of pushing him out of power after his relations soured with the previous army chief, but the military has previously denied these claims. Despite his challenges, Khan continues to generate popular support among Pakistanis grappling with high inflation and a severe economic slowdown.
Pemra imposes ban on live coverage of Islamabad Judicial Complex before Imran Khan’s hearing.
On Saturday, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) announced restrictions on live coverage of events outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex, where PTI chairman Imran Khan is due to attend a court hearing. Pemra issued a statement expressing concern about satellite TV channels airing “violent mob” footage without editorial oversight during a recent political party workers and law enforcement agencies standoff in Lahore, resulting in injuries and damages to public properties. The live telecast of such footage, according to Pemra, “created chaos and panic” among viewers and the police. Pemra warned that such coverage would violate several Supreme Court judgments and prohibited “live/recorded coverage of any kind of rally, public gathering, procession by any party, organization, and individual, etc.” from the Judicial Complex and other locations on March 18, 2023.
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