When police attempt to detain former prime minister Imran Khan, there are clashes in Pakistan.
March 14, 2023Tweet
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with
police seeking to arrest him outside his home on Tuesday, even as the
longtime politician told CNN that he was "mentally prepared to spend the
night in a cell." He also said that he believed his arrest was both
inevitable and politically motivated, referencing upcoming by-elections
in April and the general election in October. Khan faces allegations of
illegally purchasing and selling gifts given to him by foreign
dignitaries while he was in office, which he has rejected as "biased."
On Monday, the Islamabad High Court issued an arrest warrant against
Khan over the case to have him presented before the court on March 18.
Khan's lawyers have argued he has previously failed to appear in court
because he cannot leave his residence in Lahore due to security
concerns. In his interview with CNN, the former leader warned that
attempts to arrest him could lead to a dangerous escalation in political
violence in the country, and that he believed Pakistan's ruling
coalition might eventually use "that pretext of violence" to delay the
upcoming votes. The country's Information Minister denied any political
involvement in the case, saying the police is only complying with the
orders of the court.
Imran-khan Pakistan's Cnn Islamabad