After breather in judge threat case, Imran Khan likely to face arrest in Toshakhana case

Islamabad: His arrest in the woman judge threatening case having been deferred till 16 March, Imran Khan found the breather short-lived. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman is likely to be arrested anytime Tuesday in the Toshakhana case. Toshakhana case is the only legal case in which his arrest warrant has not been suspended. Allegedly, Khan took a lot many gifts from the Toshakhana without, per law, paying part of their value. Earlier, he had also accepted to have sold a few. Armoured police vehicles reached Zaman Park to arrest Khan shortly after 2 pm (local time), arrived at Khan’s Zaman Park residence. A team of Islamabad police has also been in Lahore since Monday after a district and sessions court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the former prime minister for failing to attend the hearing in Toshakhana case. Also Read: Imran Khan’s arrest drama ends in whimper as warrant suspended till 16 March All roads leading to the house of Khan in Lahore have been blocked placing containers and riot personnel took positions to launch the operation.  

A senior cop of Islamabad police said his team has come to Lahore to arrest Khan in the Toshakhana case. Clash between police and PTI workers seems imminent if the former press ahead to arrest the ex-PM. A large number of PTI workers equipped with clubs were also present outside Khan’s residence to resist the police from arresting the 70-year-old leader. Police used water cannon and tear gas to disperse PTI workers and supporters.

Imran Khan releases video message

Khan released a video message in which he said the police is at his door and “they feel putting me in jail will silence the people too”. “I urge you to fight for your independence and freedom. I will fight for you all my life. If they kill me in jail, you have to prove that you can continue the fight without me and overthrow this dictatorships,” the former Pakistan PM said.

Imran Khan will be arrested

The Islamabad police spokesperson in a statement said they have reached Lahore to arrest PTI chief on court orders. He said that Khan will be arrested after all legal requirements are completed. The police also warned of legal action against those creating hurdles in the arrest of the former prime minister of Pakistan. DIG Operations Islamabad Shahzad Bukhari is leading the team of police that has surrounded Imran’s residence. Talking to the media, he said: “We have come to comply with the warrant. We know the details of the case but cannot discuss." When asked where Khan will be taken after arrest, DIG Bukhari said: “Let us first arrest him and then we will inform the media.” Last week, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the non-bailable arrest warrant for Khan issued by the local court issued due to the PTI chief’s continuous absence and directed him to appear before the lower court on 13 March. He again failed to comply with the orders. Notably, it is for the second time in less than 10 days that the police have arrived at Zaman Park to arrest Khan. Don’t Miss: Pak Toshkhana expose: PM Shehbaz’s bro Nawaz kept Mercedes, Bilawal’s father gobbled a Beemer, Imran Khan a Rolex fan Khan has been in the crosshairs for buying gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch he had received as the prime minister of Pakistan at a discounted price from the state depository called Toshakhana and selling them for profit. Khan was ousted from power in April last year after losing a no-confidence vote, which he alleged was part of a US-led conspiracy targeting him because of his independent foreign policy decisions on Russia, China and Afghanistan. With inputs from agencies Read all the  Latest News ,  Trending News ,  Cricket News ,  Bollywood News , India News  and  Entertainment News  here. Follow us on  Facebook ,  Twitter  and  Instagram .