Imran Khan arrest: Zaman Park turns into battleground as PTI workers, police clash.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police clashed on Tuesday in Lahore's Zaman Park area after a contingent of the Islamabad police, along with armoured vehicles, reached party chief Imran Khan's Lahore residence to arrest the former premier after non-bailable warrants were issued in the ongoing Toshakhana (gift depository) case against him.

The official Twitter handle of the party urged supporters and workers to gather outside the residence and 'remain peaceful'.

However, PTI workers reportedly started stoning police officials as the police began baton-charging the crowds, turning Zaman Park into a battleground. Police allegedly used water canons to hold back PTI workers, with some being taken into custody.

According to sources, a heavy contingent of Lahore Police accompanying the capital police is also outside Imran's house, and the police have blocked all the roads leading to the neighbourhood.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Islamabad Shahzad Nadeem Bukhari reportedly injured in the clashes and taken to Services Hospital for treatment.

The PTI also urged its workers and supporters to hold countrywide protests against Imran Khan's likely arrest.

As Imran Khan and other PTI leaders appealed its workers to stage protests throughout the country, the party workers started protests on different points of Lahore prominently Liberty Chowk, Babu Sabu Interchange and Mall Road.

The protests and the diversions placed by police interrupted traffic flow on all the major roads of the city. The commuters faced immense pressure and nuisance in travelling to their destinations as traffic rush was observed on Canal Road, Ferozpur Road, Multan Road, Jail Road, Band Road and other arteries.

Karachi protest

A series of organised and sporadic protests broke out in Karachi with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf workers blocking roads and disrupting traffic in several areas of the city.

PTI's Karachi chapter said that they had shut down or were protesting at at least 14 different locations across the city. They include key routes and thoroughfares including Teen Talwar and Shaheen Complex in South district, Hyderi, the 4K Stop and Five Star roundabouts in Central district, Mauripur Road in West district and Landhi's Dawood roundabout.

There were protests in Hassan Square, Qayyumabad and Rashid Minhas Road areas of East district, and the Star Gate area which falls in Faisal Cantonment and leads to the airport. There were protests at the Sohrab Goth as...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT