In a second day of trouble, supporters of the former Pakistani prime minister hurled objects at police, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as officers tried to arrest the ousted leader.
By Cordelia Lynch, Asia correspondent
Wednesday March 15, 2023 5:14 PM, UK
Pakistan’s Information Minister has accused Imran Khan of “blatant lies” and denied that attempts to arrest him are politically motivated.
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Marriyum Aurangzeb insisted that “the government has nothing to do with the arrest. The arrest has nothing to do with the delay of the elections.”
The police, he declared, were simply “carrying out the court’s order to arrest him in corruption cases.”
It follows a tense confrontation between police and Khan’s supporters outside his residence in the eastern city of Lahore.
supporters of the former prime minister he hurled bricks at police, who fought back with tear gas and rubber bullets for a second day after officers tried to arrest the ousted leader.
Khan is accused of misusing state gifts and faces a slew of corruption cases. He denies any wrongdoing.
Today, he insisted that he was ready to travel to Islamabad on March 18 for a court appearance, but this was not initially accepted by the authorities.
Ms. Aurangzeb said it was essential that he answer in court.
“He needs to be arrested as ordered by the court and he has to comply with court orders,” he said.
“The police are there to arrest you. If you have something to say in your defense, you have to say it in front of the court.”
Police scuffle with supporters of ex-PM Imran Khan
The Information Minister rejected claims that police had injured Khan supporters, stating instead that 65 policemen had been injured as a result of clashes.
He also dismissed Mr Khan’s claim that his security was at risk; he has always argued that appearing in court could compromise his safety after an assassination attempt.
“The guy says he has security threats and… at the same time Mr Khan says he is ready to hold political rallies. He is there,” Ms Aurangzeb said.
“The moment the court asks him to be there for their corruption cases, he says I have a security threat.
“So you know you have to stick to one thing and then when you have security threats, at the same time you’re inciting violence and you’re putting women and children in front of the police force that’s just there to arrest you.”
Read more on Sky News:
Operation to arrest Khan halted after violence
As this legal battle between Khan and the state progresses, the country faces political and economic paralysis.
This stagnation only adds to that clutter and creates a tinder box moment in an already feverish atmosphere.
