Farhan Saeed says celebrities are scared to speak up for Imran Khan

Many of Khan's supporters on social media have been lashing out at the authorities for taking such stern measures

The face-off between police and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters continued on the second day on Wednesday as law enforcers made a fresh push to arrest party chairman Imran Khan from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.

Police resumed firing tear gas rounds and used water canons against defiant PTI workers and supporters as fresh skirmishes broke out after law enforcers intensified their activities in the now more than 20-hour-long operation to arrest the PTI chief. Many PTI supporters have been taken into custody. 

Many of Khan's supporters on social media have been actively lashing out at the authorities for such stern measures. Several celebrities have also expressed their anger on the same.

Farhan Saeed tweeted, "When Imran Khan became PM, all the actors, players were so quick to congratulate him, even go and meet him. Today, either they have changed their opinion about him which is fair, they have all the right. Or… they’re scared to speak which is worrisome.”

When @ImranKhanPTI became PM, all the actors , players were so quick to congratulate him, even go and meet him, today either they have changed their opinion about him which is fair enough, they have all the right or they’re scared to speak which is worrisome.#ZamanPark pic.twitter.com/mRIuE9WpjQ

— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) March 15, 2023

Mahira Khan re-tweet a video posted by Khan, that sees rangers allegedly firing at unarmed citizens at Zaman Park “as if they are attacking an enemy force on the battlefield,” as per the politician. She tweeted, “This is absolutely ridiculous! Praying for everyone’s safety and for some sanity to prevail!”

This is absolutely ridiculous! Praying for everyone’s safety and for some sanity to prevail! https://t.co/lGmrT2gWoN

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 15, 2023

Adnan Siddiqui commented, "It's incredible to witness people from all walks of life coming together with a shared sense of purpose, fuelled by their passion and dedication. Such an outpouring of support for a leader is unprecedented in the history of our country."

It's incredible to witness people from all walks of life coming together with a shared sense of purpose, fueled by their passion and dedication. Such an outpouring of support for a leader is unprecedented in the history of our country #PeoplePower #PTIfamily

— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) March 15, 2023

Armeena Khan chimed in on the micro-blogging site, “Threatening to arrest leaders because they are politicking (same as the opposition) reeks of hypocrisy.” The actor added, “Please hold a general election so the public can decide for themselves. Otherwise, there’s a name for forced leadership and we all know what that is.”

Threatening to arrest leaders because they are politicking (same as the opposition) reeks of hypocrisy. Please hold a general election so the public can decide for themselves. Otherwise there’s a name for forced leadership and we all know what that is.

— Armeena ✨ (@ArmeenaRK) March 15, 2023

Actor Bilal Ashraf shared photos from Zaman Park to write, “Appalling and disgusting behaviour. Incompetence at its peak. You are only making matters worse. Is this how you treat your citizens. Older people, women and children. Pathetic.”

Appalling & disgusting behavior. Incompetence at its peak. You are only making matters worse. Is this how you treat your citizens. Older people, women and children. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/gNTDKMAJEz

— Bilal Ashraf (@IamBilalAshraf) March 15, 2023

Singer and actor Haroon Shahid added, "The shelling didn't work, they're all set to try the bullets! Catastrophe loading." Asim Azhar, too, tweeted, “Arresting or hurting a leader like Imran Khan will do nothing but [prompt] a civil war and harm the country. Establishment should be smart enough to avoid this and respectfully hold elections. Vote se naa darain (Don’t be afraid of votes).”

The shelling didn't work, they're all set to try the bullets! Catastrophe loading.... #Zaman_Park

— Haroon Shahid (@Haroon_5hahid) March 14, 2023

Actor Muneeb Butt termed the whole event “blatant fascism at its peak”.

While singer Annie Khalid tweeted, "What is happening today is Jihad. Sitting in London I wish I wish I wish I could be there tonight standing with my people- to protect my leader. I salute this nation; you are all heroes! Jinnah’s Pakistan."

What is happening today is JIHAD. Sitting in London I wish I wish I wish I could be there tonight standing with my people- to protect my leader. I salute this nation, you are all hero’s! Jinnah’s Pakistan 🇵🇰

— Annie Khalid (@annie_khalid) March 14, 2023

Actor Maya Ali wrote on her Insta Story, “Kaptaan, standing with you always and forever. May [God] protect you.”

Acting veteran Atiqa Odho added, “No one deserves to be treated the way he [Khan] is being treated. He may not be perfect but his heart has always been in the right place. Others talk while he walks the talk. Being harassed and punished for being sincere is an injustice we must never accept as citizens.”

Singer Annural Khalid tweeted, “Imran Khan has nothing to gain from politics, there is nothing you can bribe him with and that is exactly why he’s such a threat to those controlling the system. Man sacrificed his family [life] just so you lot can wake up and see who’s pulling all the strings here and dividing us.”

100% . IK has nothing to gain from politics, there is nothing you can bribe him with and that is exactly why he’s such a threat to those controlling the system. Man sacrificed even his family just so you lot can wake up and see who’s pulling all the strings here and dividing us. https://t.co/FQAoILZHWh

— Annural Khalid (@annural3) March 15, 2023

Elan owner, Khadijah Shah, had been busy helping the protestors. She tweeted, "We took water and medicines for the heroes on the frontline - they are being shelled from the upper mall and need lots of water, you can hardly breathe the air is thick with tear gas - people keep going and distributing water, masks and Ventolin inhalers."

We took water and medicines for the heroes on the frontline- they are being shelled at from upper mall and need lots of water, you can hardly breathe the air is thick with tear gas - people keep going and distributing water, masks and ventoline inhalers #ImranKhanOurRedLine pic.twitter.com/G5WomKYlnl

— KhadijahShah (@khadijah_shah) March 14, 2023

According to Express News, mobile and internet services had been suspended in the Zaman Park neighbourhood and nearby areas. Educational institutions located around Mall Road remained closed while an emergency had been imposed in hospitals.

Rangers were also present at Mall Road near the former premier's Zaman Park residence – blocking access to the area. A traffic warden post and some vehicles have been torched.