Pakistan police enter Imran Khan’s Lahore residence ‘after bulldozing main gate’

Pakistani police officers entered Imran Khan’s residence in Lahore on Saturday after “bulldozing the main gate” and detained several of his supporters, according to reports, as the former prime minister appeared in court in the capital Islamabad. Were.

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Khan said in a tweet that his wife was at the property. He was appearing in the court fearing arrest.

Videos shared by several media organizations and journalists showed police lathi-charging inside Khan’s residence. It came days after riot police fired tear gas to disperse his supporters during clashes in Lahore as authorities moved to arrest the ousted prime minister for failing to appear in court on corruption charges. Tried to.

Journalist Ihtisham ul Haq tweeted: “Police started beating Khan’s workers and private house staff at his residence in Zaman Park.”

News outlet NDTV reported that police “bulldozed the main gate” and asked workers of Mr Khan’s party to disperse. They “detained several PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) activists”.

Earlier, Mr Khan told Reuters he had formed a committee to lead his party if he were arrested.

The former cricket legend led nationwide protests after being ousted from power last year and several cases were filed against him. Police unsuccessfully tried to arrest him last week, leading to heated clashes with his party workers.

“I have formed a committee which will obviously decide once – if – I am inside the jail”, the 70-year-old said in an interview at his Lahore home on Saturday before leaving for Islamabad. He said that there are 94 cases registered against him.

Mr Khan was addressing allegations of illegally selling government gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries while in office. Security was tight around the judicial complex, where Mr Khan, 70, arrived in a motorcade surrounded by supporters.

The court had earlier issued an arrest warrant for him in the matter as he had failed to appear in the previous hearing despite summons.

Mr Khan, who was shot and wounded while campaigning in November, said the threat to his life was greater than ever and insisted – without providing evidence – that his political opponents and the military would kill him this year. Finally want to be barred from standing in the election.

The army and government did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.