Imran Khan leads hundreds at election rally in Lahore as Islamabad police arrive to arrest him

Supporters of former Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan chant slogans outdoors his home in Lahore.
| Photo Credit: AFP

Pakistan’s ousted premier Imran Khan on March 13, 2023 led a march of hundreds of his supporters as Islamabad police arrived right here to arrest him after two non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued in opposition to him, a day after he referred to as off his celebration’s election rally following a ban on public gatherings in Punjab’s provincial capital.

The 70-year-old former cricketer-turned-politician’s supporters threw rose petals at a convoy carrying him to Data Darbar the place he’s anticipated to handle his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters.

Also learn: Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan once more evades courtroom listening to in Toshakhana case, avoids arrest

Mr. Khan left his Zaman Park residence as Islamabad police arrived in Lahore on a particular helicopter to arrest the PTI chief after two non-bailable arrest warrants have been issued in opposition to him for failing to look in courts within the Toshakhana case and for threatening a girl Justice of the Peace whereas addressing a public gathering right here final 12 months, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

Earlier, the Lahore district administration met with the celebration’s management to debate the rally, its route and safety preparations.

The district administration, nonetheless, imposed a situation that no PTI chief would give a press release in opposition to the judiciary or another establishment, the paper stated.

Also Read:Imran Khan dodges arrest after Islamabad Police present up at his residence; addresses celebration employees

Mr. Khan on Sunday referred to as off his celebration’s deliberate election rally in Lahore after Punjab’s caretaker authorities banned public gatherings within the provincial capital.

In a televised deal with, Mr. Khan on Saturday introduced that he’ll lead an election marketing campaign rally in Lahore on Sunday and urged his supporters and employees to take part in face of the police brutality purportedly dedicated in opposition to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf celebration.

Soon after his announcement, the native administration enforced Section 144 within the provincial capital and banned public gatherings, citing issues within the wake of a Pakistan Super League (PSL) cricket match within the metropolis.

Mr. Khan’s celebration approached Election Commission workplaces and the courts in opposition to the federal government’s transfer, saying the imposition of Section 144 must be declared null and void.

Later, in a shock transfer, he postponed the rally, calling on his employees to “not fall into this trap”.

“It seems again Sec 144 has been imposed illegally solely on the PTI election campaign as all other public activities are ongoing in Lahore. Only Zaman Park has been surrounded by containers & heavy police contingent. Clearly, like 8 March, Punjab CM & police want to provoke clashes to file more sham FIRs against PTI ldrshp & workers & to use as a pretext for postponing elections (sic),” Mr. Khan tweeted.

He told his supporters “to not fall into this entice”.

“Hence, we have now postponed the rally until tomorrow,” he tweeted.

However, Punjab’s caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that no ban had been imposed on political activities in the city. “All political events are freely allowed to marketing campaign,” he tweeted.

One activist of Khan’s celebration was killed on Wednesday throughout a crackdown on his supporters who gathered outdoors his residence in Lahore, defying a authorities ban on rallies within the metropolis.

Mr. Khan was ousted from energy in April after dropping a no-confidence vote in his management, which he alleged was a part of a US-led conspiracy focusing on him due to his unbiased overseas coverage selections on Russia, China, and Afghanistan.