Bushra Begum, Imran Khan’s wife, was at home when police entered their house.
Lahore/New Delhi:
Pakistan police entered the home of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore on Saturday while he was on his way to Islamabad for a court hearing in a corruption case, officials from his party said.
Bushra Begum, Mr Khan’s wife, was at home when police removed the barricades and broke into his house, they said.
During the operation, at least 10 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers were injured and over 30 arrested, news agency PTI reported.
“Meanwhile Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this? This is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment,” Mr Khan tweeted.
Meanwhile Punjab police have led an assault on my house in Zaman Park where Bushra Begum is alone. Under what law are they doing this? This is part of London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 18, 2023
His party shared a video on its official Twitter account that showed Mr Khan’s supporters at his home being lathicharged by the policemen.
Worst kind of torture in Zaman Park right now. If something happens, will you paint it as accident again!? #چلو_چلو_عمران_کے_ساتھpic.twitter.com/5S45UDVvMZ
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 18, 2023
The move follows days of standoff and intense clashes between his supporters and the police when the attempts were made to arrest him for skipping multiple previous hearings.
Earlier this week, security forces had fired tear gas and water cannons at hundreds of Mr Khan’s supporters who had cordoned off his home in an effort to prevent his arrest.
The Islamabad High Court yesterday suspended non-bailable arrest warrants issued against Mr Khan till today, providing him with a chance to appear before the district court to defend charges that he unlawfully sold state gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries while he was Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
During the hearing, Imran’s lawyer submitted an undertaking to the high court, assuring the PTI chief would appear in court on March 18.
Imran Khan, who was shot and wounded while campaigning in November, 2022, had said in an interview that the threat to his life is greater than before.
Mr Khan was ousted by a no-confidence vote last year and has been snarled in dozens of legal cases as he campaigns for early elections and a return to office.
As the political drama unfolds, the nation is facing a stark economic downturn, risking default if help cannot be secured from the International Monetary Fund.
