LHC stops police operation at Zaman Park.

LAHORE: After a day-long escalation continued between PTI supporters and law enforcement agencies outside ex-premier Imran Khan's residence, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday stopped the police operation at Zaman Park till 10am today (Thursday) while the Islamabad High Court (IHC) disposed of a plea seeking the cancellation of the PTI chief's arrest warrants. The situation at Zaman Park was peaceful even as droves of PTI workers remained outside Imran Khan's residence On Wednesday morning, Islamabad Police, backed by Punjab Police and Rangers resumed efforts - which began on Tuesday - to arrest the ex-premier in connection with the Toshkhana case. Imran has skipped indictment several times, which led to the judge issuing non-bailable arrest warrants for him. However, they were met with strong resistance from PTI workers, who pelted stones at them. The police responded with volleys of tear gas. After an hours-long back and forth - described by international media as "pitched battles" - the personnel pulled back to Mall Road, from where they cleared out. LHC's Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, while hearing a petition filed by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry seeking to stop the "atrocities" outside Zaman Park, passed these orders. Earlier, the court had instructed Punjab Inspector General Usman Anwar, the provincial chief secretary and Islamabad police (operations) head to appear in court by 3pm.

As the LHC took up Chaudhry's petition, Imran's lawyer stated that what had...