Imran 'dodges' police, but govt not interested in arrest.

ISLAMABAD -- A team of Islamabad police sent to Lahore to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan for skipping proceedings in the Toshakhana case returned empty-handed after the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman evaded the arrest.

Shortly after the police returned, the PTI chief addressed his supporters at his Zaman Park residence where the contingent supported by the Lahore police had arrived to take him to the federal capital.

The Islamabad police shared on Twitter that their team had arrived in the provincial capital to arrest the former premier and that action would be taken against anyone who tried to obstruct the arrest. The official handle of the police also informed that Imran Khan would be shifted to Islamabad, as all citizens were equal before the law. The police stated that the PTI chief was 'avoiding' the arrest, adding that the officer leading the team had 'gone into Imran's room but he was not present there'.

Eventually, the team decided to call off the 'operation' since PTI leader Shibli Faraz, who is also Mr Khan's chief of staff, informed that the PTI chairman was 'not available'.

As he received the summons, the PTI leader said that the party chief would comply with legal processes.

Later in the day, Imran Khan's presence at his residence was confirmed as he spoke to supporters from the same location. In response, the Islamabad police said action would be taken against Senator Faraz for 'misrepresenting facts' in the way of legal action.

It may be noted that as per video making rounds on social media, the police also faced resistance from supporters gathered outside the residence of the PTI chairman who did not allow them to enter the house in a posh locality of Lahore.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry told media persons that the PTI chief was already on protective bail from Islamabad High Court (IHC) until March 9 and added that 'this venture holds no legal ground'. He claimed that if the police would arrest Imran Khan it would be tantamount to contempt of court.

Decoding the 'game plan' of the federal government, Mr Chaudhry explained to party workers that the government wanted to arrest Imran Khan to create unrest in the country. 'The party workers must not take law into their own hands and maintain peace,' he advised. He said the party's leaders and workers were courting arrests and Imran Khan too was not afraid of jail but he was facing threats from those in corridors of power.

'Threats to life'

Addressing...