Police suspend operation to arrest Imran on court orders.

ISLAMABAD -- After two days of clashes, emAbattled police Wednesday halted the operation to arrest Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on the orders of the Lahore High Court.

The high court ordered the police to immediately suspend the ongoing operation to arArest PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Lahore's Zaman Park neighAbourhood. While hearing the case, filed by PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh also ordered the poAlice force to remain at 500 meAters distance from the Mall CaAnal Bridge, Dharampura Bridge and Sunder Das Road. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till 10:00 today (Thursday).

The police Tuesday launched the massive operation to arrest Imran Khan, who repeatedly skipped court appearances on allegations of selling state gifts received from foreign digniAtaries during his time as prime minister for millions of dollars.

On the other hand, the proAtesting PTI workers set ablaze a water tanker of the Lahore Waste Management Authority, motorcycles and other vehicles in the Zaman park vicinity. They also ransacked a warden's office on Mall Road.

At 10:30am, the armoured police vans, once again, began moving towards the entrance of Imran's residence. HowevAer, they retreated after nearly two hours of clashes. During the chaos, a food truck sent for PTI supporters was set on fire.

Lahore High Court's Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh passed the orders while hearing the peAtition. During the hearing, the Punjab Chief Secretary, IGP PunAjab and others appeared before the court on being summoned. To a court query, the IGP Punjab submitted that the Islamabad police had sought assistance for the arrest of the PTI chairman in Toshakhana case, following issuance of his non-bailable arArest warrants by the trial court. He submitted that73 police perAsonnel were injured due to atAtacks by the PTI workers when they reached Zaman Park to comply with the court orders.

'Court wants peace in the city'

The IGP submitted that he deAcided that no police personnel or officers would carry weapAons during the operation and the situation was controlled through the use of water canAnon and tear gas. However, the PTI workers used petrol bombs, which destroyed two police veAhicles, he said and added that not only Elite force but also veAhicles of rangers were also atAtacked. He submitted that the Islamabad police officers and SP Amara Shirazi were also atAtacked. The IGP submitted: 'We wanted to arrest those responAsible for...