Pakistan News Updates: Imran Khan Alleges Govt 'Misusing Media' to Muzzle Their Voice; Calls House Break-in 'Un-Islamic', 61 Arrested

Published By: Aashi Sadana

News18.com

Last Updated: March 18, 2023, 23:57 IST

Islamabad, Pakistan

Police detain supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan during a search operation in the Khan's resident, in Lahore, Pakistan, March 18, 2023. Pakistani police stormed former Prime Minister Khan's residence in the eastern city of Lahore on Saturday and arrested 61 people amid tear gas and clashes between Khan's supporters and police, officials said. (AP)

Pakistan News Updates: After a day of drama, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called the raid of his Lahore residence as a “contempt of court." He also thanked all the people who came to support him for his court appearance.

Pakistan News Updates: After a day of drama, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called the raid of his Lahore residence as a “contempt of court.”

“I am going to immediately take up the contempt issue, violation of the sanctity of my home & the violence against my workers & our domestic staff with our Judiciary,” he said. He also thanked all the people who came to support him for his court appearance.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zafar Iqbal on Saturday accepted former Imran Khan’s appeal for attendance in the car at the Judicial Complex Gate. The hearing is now postponed and a order is expected shortly.

Amid this, the Islamabad police on Saturday arrested Imran Khan’s Chief of Staff Shiblee Faraz, and later released him on the order of additional judge. Faraz has been directed to appear in the court on Monday.

Imran Khan said the police stormed his house where his wife Bushra Bibi was alone, claiming that the “assault” on his house was part of a quid pro quo to bring Nawaz Sharif back to power. A vehicle of Imran Khan’s convoy also overturned on its way to Islamabad.

The accident happened when Khan was on his way to Islamabad to attend a hearing with connection to the Toshakhana case, news agencies ARY News and ANI reported.

Facing a spate of legal challenges, including one that prompted a failed attempt to arrest him on Tuesday, Khan was to address charges in the court in the capital Islamabad of unlawfully selling state gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries while in office.

Hours earlier at his home in Lahore, the former cricket legend told Reuters he has formed a committee to lead his party if he is arrested.

He has led nationwide protests after his ouster from power last year and has had a spate of cases registered against him. The police unsuccessfully tried to arrest him on Tuesday.

Khan, who was shot and wounded while campaigning in November, said in an interview the threat to his life is greater than before and asserted – without providing evidence – that his political opponents and the military want to block him from standing in elections later this year.

Security was tight around the judicial complex where Khan, 70, was headed in a motorcade surrounded by supporters. The court has previously issued arrest warrants for Khan in the case as he had failed to appear on previous hearings despite summons.

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March 18, 2023 22:12 IST

Pakistan Live: Take a Look at Visuals of Imran Khan's Residence Raid by Punjab Police

Take a look at few videos of the Punjab police raiding former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan’s residence on Saturday.

March 18, 2023 21:36 IST

EX-PM Khan 'Grateful' to People Who Came in His Support

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan also thanked all the people who came to support him for his court appearance.

Taking to twitter, he said, “Am grateful to masses that came when I went for my court appearance. Everyone knows ruling cabal of crooks has only one aim, to jail me any which way till elections are over. Already 96 cases on me & am sure after my appearance today I will hit my first century of court cases.”

March 18, 2023 21:35 IST

Will Take Violation of The Sanctity of My Home to Judiciary: Imran Khan on Residence Raid

After a day of drama, former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan called the raid of his Lahore residence as a “contempt of court.”

“I am going to immediately take up the contempt issue, violation of the sanctity of my home & the violence against my workers & our domestic staff with our Judiciary,” he said.

March 18, 2023 18:42 IST

Imran Khan's Residence Raid: Take a Look at What All Was Recovered

According to Inspector General Police Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar the raid recovered the following things –

🔺 20 rifles, including Kalashnikov

🔺A cache of explosives and petrol bomb bottles

🔺Bomb-making materials

🔺Some bunkers were also built in the Zaman Park area, he said, adding that a case will be registered against Khan in this regard.

March 18, 2023 18:35 IST

Imran Khan Live: At least 61 PTI Workers Arrested in Operation in Lahore

During the raid at former prime minister Imran Khan’s residence, 61 workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party were arrested and about 10 PTI workers and three policemen were injured.

Khan’s residence remained a battlefield between his party workers and police and Rangers for two days earlier this week over his “arrest operation” in the case.

March 18, 2023 18:00 IST

Imran Khan Arrest Live: Police Clash With Ex-PM's Supporters | Watch

Clashes erupted between security forces and supporters of Imran Khan outside the judicial complex here on Saturday ahead of the ousted Pakistan premier’s appearance before a court in connection with a corruption case.

Islamabad police chief Akbar Nasir Khan told the media that Khan’s supporters resorted to violence, pelted stones at the police and also set on fire a police picket.

“Our force is tackling the situation with patience,” he said, adding that Khan was just five minutes away from driving to the court Khan arrived in Islamabad from Lahore to appear before the court. He is accompanied by his supporters.

March 18, 2023 17:56 IST

Pakistan Live: Khan's Chief of Staff Shiblee Faraz Released on Order After Being Arrested by Islamabad Police

Amid high drama, the Islamabad police on Saturday arrested Imran Khan’s Chief of Staff Shiblee Faraz, and later released him on the order of additional judge. Faraz has been directed to appear in the court on Monday.

March 18, 2023 17:42 IST

Pakistan Live: Judge Permits Imran Khan To go Back After Marking Attendance from Outside Judicial Complex

Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zafar Iqbal on Saturday accepted former Imran Khan’s appeal for attendance in the car at the Judicial Complex Gate.

Khan was allowed to go back after marking his attendance from the car, and the hearing is now postponed.

March 18, 2023 17:19 IST

Imran Khan Arrest Live: Islamabad Police Claim PTI Supporters Pelted Stones at Them

As former prime minister Imran Khan reached outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex on Saturday, police have alleged that PTI party workers began to pelt stones at them, according to Dawn News TV.

March 18, 2023 17:02 IST

Pakistan's Electronic Media Watchdog Imposes Ban on Live Coverage of Events at Islamabad Judicial Complex

Pakistan’s electronic media watchdog on Saturday banned satellite television channels from broadcasting live coverage of events outside the Islamabad court where former prime minister Imran Khan is set to appear in a corruption case against him.

In an advisory issued Saturday, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) stated that it has been observed with concern that satellite TV channels are showing live footage and images of a violent mob, and attacks on police and law enforcement agencies.

March 18, 2023 16:54 IST

Pakistan News: Police Discover 16 Rifles, Bombs From Ex-PM Khan's Residence

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the police discovered 16 rifle from former PM Imran Khan’s residence, according to ARY News.

“All terrorists in Zaman Park have been arrested, while arms and bombs have been found,” Sanaullah added.

March 18, 2023 16:49 IST

Pakistan Live News: Police End Raid At Khan's Lahore Residence

The Punjab police have now left Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence and ended its search operation on Saturday afternoon, Interior minister Rana Sanaullah said. He added that no-go zone outside Khan’s residence has been removed.

 

March 18, 2023 16:38 IST

Imran Khan Arrest Live: Nearly 4,000 Security Officers, Including Paramilitary Rangers Deployed Around Islamabad

Fearing unrest and chaos amid the current situation, around 4,000 security officials including elite police commandos, anti-terrorism squads and paramilitary rangers have been deployed around Islamabad with hospitals put on high alert.

March 18, 2023 16:37 IST

Pakistan News Live: Khan Says Have Formed Committee To Lead PTI if Arrested

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan before leaving for Islamabad said that he has formed a committee to lead his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, if he ends up being arrested, Reuters said.

March 18, 2023 16:25 IST

Pakistan: They Want Me Behind Bars, Says Imran Khan

In a video message, former prime minister Imran Khan said that the main intention of the current government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is to put him behind bars. And despite of knowing this, Khan said he will be a law-abiding citizen and do his duty.

March 18, 2023 16:19 IST

Imran Khan Live Updates: Videos Show Police Injuring People Near Khan's Residence

In a major operation launched in Lahore, the Punjab police raided former prime minister Imran Khan’s residence and arrested several PTI workers.

Videos posted on social media shows police using lathis on PTI members and workers.

March 18, 2023 16:16 IST

'Despite Their Malicious Intentions, I Believe in Law,' Says Ex-PM Imran Khan

Imran Khan in a series of tweets and videos released on his Twitter account and PTI Twitter account said he is aware of the developments and knows he will be arrested when he reaches the judicial complex in Islamabad.

“It is now clear that, despite my having gotten bail in all my cases, the PDM govt intends to arrest me. Despite knowing their malafide intentions, I am proceeding to Islamabad and the court of law because I believe in rule of law. But (the) ill intent of this cabal of crooks should be clear to all,” Imran Khan said in a tweet.

March 18, 2023 16:13 IST

Imran Khan Live Updates: Section 144 Imposed in Islamabad

Section 144 has been imposed in Islamabad as the government fears that there will be chaos and unrest as PTI workers in Islamabad may interrupt the court proceedings and create law and order issues.

March 18, 2023 16:12 IST

Vehicle in Imran Khan’s Convoy Overturns on Way to Court Hearing in Islamabad

A vehicle in Imran Khan’s convoy overturned on Saturday on its way to Islamabad. The former Pakistan prime minister is on his way to Islamabad to attend a hearing with connection to the Toshakhana case, news agencies ARY News and ANI reported. Read full story here

March 18, 2023 16:09 IST

Under What Law Are They Doing This: Imran Khan on Police Raiding His Residence

The ousted prime minister Imran Khan has reacted to the “assault” led by the Punjab police on his house.

Taking to Twitter, he said, “As I left for Islamabad to attend Toshakhana hearing, 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 the London Plan where commitments were made to bring absconder Nawaz Sharif to power as quid pro quo for agreeing to one appointment.”

first published:March 18, 2023, 15:46 IST
last updated:March 18, 2023, 23:03 IST