Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters streamed into the heart of major cities – including the political capital – on Tuesday and scuffled with police contingents throughout the day as authorities struggled to muscle their way through the enraged crowd to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan.
The intense stand-off escalated into a volatile moment after the police almost reached the gates of the PTI chief’s Zaman Park residence from where it was forced to retreat towards Mall Road.
The security forces, who were there to execute the non-bailable arrest warrant for Imran, met with a determined response from party loyalists.
The official Twitter handle of the party urged supporters and workers to gather outside the residence and 'remain peaceful'.
🚨 تمام ورکرز اور سپورٹرز جلد از جلد زمان پارک پہنچیں اور پرامن رہیں۔ https://t.co/XcfxafBRU9
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 14, 2023
The protests stretched from city to city in an outpouring of anger that saw buildings set on fire and an aggressive response from the authorities, with at least five policemen, including DIG Operations Islamabad Shahzad Bukhari, and dozens of workers injured.
The turmoil was on display a short distance from Imran’s residence where he had called earlier in the day for his supporters to rally and urged supporters to come out following police’s use of tear gas and water cannons on supporters.
Hundreds of protesters mobilised on the streets of the nation’s capital as tensions ratcheted higher with an eruption of protests in Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
چئیرمین عمران خان کی ممکنہ گرفتاری کیخلاف کراچی میں بھی احتجاج شروع۔ حیدری ماتکیٹ کے ساتھ شاہراہ پر لوگ نکل آۓ۔ #زمان_پارک_پہنچو pic.twitter.com/HjKAW6DbRg
— PTI Karachi Official (@PTI_KHI) March 14, 2023
ٹیکسلا راولپنڈی کی عوام بہت بڑی تعداد میں سڑکوں پر نکل آئی۔ ظلم و جبر اور لاقانونیت کے یہ ضابطے، ہم نہیں مانتے
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 14, 2023
#زمان_پارک_پُہنچو pic.twitter.com/Nqd3cYmt9x
Within hours of police proceeding to arrest the former premier, major arteries leading to Imran’s residence were choked even as authorities had blocked roads to his home.
An Islamabad police team approached the residence escorted by a heavy contingent of Lahore police, in the afternoon with Imran’s arrest warrants.
A large number of Anti-Riot Force (ARF) officials, equipped with anti-riot gear, tear gas shells and two water cannons were escorting the federal capital police. The team made announcements before proceeding further to Imran’s residence appealing to the workers not to obstruct their performance of duty.
“Five officials of Islamabad Capital Police, including DIG Operations Islamabad, were injured,” the Islamabad Police Capital’s tweet said. “Stone pelting was done from the roof of Imran Khan’s house.”
“Despite the stone pelting, the police refrained from taking extreme measures,” it said.
Meanwhile, in a short video message, Imran urged his supporters to come out for real freedom as police had reached out to arrest him. “They think that after my arrest, the nation will fall asleep but you have to prove them wrong,” he underscored.
پاکستان تحریک انصاف نے کارکنان کو ملک بھر میں احتجاج کی کال دے دی #زمان_پارک_پہنچو pic.twitter.com/4Y5agYAOxe
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 14, 2023
A large number of PTI workers and supporters gathered outside Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence, Liberty Market and Ferozepur Road, though police had blocked all roads leading to the PTI chairman's residence by placing containers and barricades on roads which caused traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters.
On the other hand, PTI workers said shells were fired by the police which landed inside Imran’s compound.
They’re shelling Imran Khan’s house too, a leader who requested everyone to stay peaceful and patient. Democracy seems to be suspended in the country, no? #زمان_پارک_پہنچو pic.twitter.com/nBuen0MYQc
— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 14, 2023
“These are the poisonous tear gas shells that were collected from the compound of Imran Khan’s Zaman Park house, and there are still hundreds of shells along the lawn and the wall of the house,” the PTI posted on Twitter.
PTI alleged that the shells were also bombarded inside Imran Khan’s residence.
Read PTI challenges by-polls in K-P on vacated seats
Footage of tear gas clouds and shells from inside the premises, and rooftops was also shared by PTI. During the crackdown, dozens of workers were injured and taken into custody. Many vehicles including police vans and water cannons were also damaged.
Reportedly, the workers used chairs in the camps on fire to resist the police’s crackdown. As the situation intensified further and police contingents closed in on the residence, Rangers’ help was also sought by the Punjab government.
A helicopter was also engaged that remained busy in aerial surveillance of the surroundings, while the electricity supply in the area was also disconnected and the internet service was also suspended.
Lahore Police Chief Bilal Siddique Kamyana also issued orders to all the divisional SPs to report to Zaman Park with their force.
Cat and mouse game between police and PTI workers continued outside Zaman Park on Canal Road. At one point, police would use force and disperse the workers. The workers with the re-enforcement approached after some time, attacked police and pushed them back.
The scenario continued till the filing of the report.
زمان پارک کے باہر ایک بار پھر اسلام آباد پولیس پہنچ گئی ۔۔۔ ڈی آئی جی آپریشنز شہزاد ندیم بخاری کا عمران خان کی ممکنہ گرفتاری کے بارے میں کیا کہنا ہے ۔۔ آپ بھی سنیئے#ZamanPark #ImranKhan #islamabadpolice pic.twitter.com/AaDbytZh1R
— Usman Khan (@usmann_khann) March 14, 2023
‘If I am killed’
As Imran Khan and other PTI leaders appealed to workers to stage protests throughout the country, the party workers started gathering at different points of the city prominently Liberty Chowk, Babu Sabu Interchange and Mall Road.
Read more Pakistanis will continue this struggle even if I am killed or arrested: Imran
“If I’m arrested or killed, fight for Haqeeqi Azadi [true freedom movement] must continue,” said Imran.
The protests and the diversions placed by police interrupted traffic flow on all the major roads of the city. The commuters faced immense pressure and nuisance in travelling to their destinations as traffic rush was observed on Canal Road, Ferozpur Road, Multan Road, Jail Road, Band Road and other arteries.
Earlier, an Islamabad sessions court rejected Imran's exemption from appearance plea and restored his non-bailable arrest warrant in the Toshakhana criminal proceedings case.
Additional Sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal announced the verdict and ordered the former prime minister to appear in court on March 18.
Imran asks supporters to ‘carry on the fight’
Meanwhile, PTI chief Imran Khan has made an impassioned plea to his supporters, urging them to stand up for their rights and “continue the struggle” even if he is arrested or assassinated.
In a video message released on social media, he said that the authorities believe his arrest would lead to the nation's indifference. “My fellow Pakistanis, the police are outside waiting to arrest me. They believe that if Imran Khan is put in jail, the nation will fall asleep. You must prove them wrong. You must show that this nation is alive and kicking,” he said.
My message to the nation to stand resolute and fight for Haqeeqi Azadi & rule of law. pic.twitter.com/bgVuOjsmHG
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
Imran went on to emphasise the importance of the Pakistani nation, which he stressed was formed on the principles of ‘La illaha Illalah’ (there is only one God).
“This nation is the Ummah of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) and it was formed on the principles and slogan of La illaha Illalah. You must step out and fight for your rights and true freedom,” he said.
He called on Pakistanis to stand up for their rights and true freedom, stating that he has been fighting this battle all his life and would continue to do so.
However, he warned that if something were to happen to him, his supporters must carry on the fight and never accept the tyranny of the "thieves" who are making decisions for the country, particularly the one man who holds the reins of power.
“God has given me everything, and I am fighting this battle for you. I have been fighting this battle all my life, and I will continue to do so,” he said.
“But if something happens to me, if I am jailed or if they kill me, then you must show that this nation will carry on fighting. You must never accept the tyranny of these thieves, especially the one man who is making decisions for the country.”
Alvi worries about Imran’s safety and dignity
Taking to Twitter, President Arif Alvi said that he was deeply saddened by today's events. “Unhealthy revenge politics. Poor priorities of govt of a country that should focus on the economic misery of the people. Are we destroying the political landscape?” he wrote.
I am deeply saddened by today's events. Unhealthy revenge politics. Poor priorities of govt of a country that should focus on economic misery of the people. Are we destroying political landscape? Am concerned about safety & dignity of @ImranKhanPTI like that of all politicians.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) March 14, 2023
He said he was concerned about the safety and dignity of Imran Khan like that of all politicians.
Nawaz taunts Imran
Former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif taunted Imran Khan for trying to evade arrest, saying, “If there was a person full of bravery and honour in his place, he would have drowned in shame instead of putting on this circus show [outside his residence]”.
“He would have left politics instead of being accused of cowardice and dishonour,” he added.
گرفتاری کے خوف سے عمران خان جو سرکس لگائے بیٹھا ہے، اُسکی جگہ اگر رتّی بھر بہادری اور غیرت رکھنے والا شخص ہوتا تو شرم سے ڈوب مرتا۔ بزدلی اور بے غیرتی کا دھبہ لگوانے کی بجائے سیاست چھوڑ دیتا۔
— Nawaz Sharif (@NawazSharifMNS) March 14, 2023
اکبر نے سنا ہے اہلِ غیرت سے یہی
جینا ذلت سے ہو تو مرنا اچھا
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