Punjab capital smoulders amid lull in Zaman Park operation.

LAHORE -- After the Lahore High Court ordered the police to put off its operation to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan till 10am today (Thursday), an eerie calm prevailed in Zaman Park - the residence of the PTI chairman - after a night of pitched battles between the police and supporters of the PTI chief.

The situation could be best described as a 'calm before the storm' - police pickets around the residence are still in place while a defiant Imran Khan is refusing to back down. The second-tier leadership of the PTI is fearing an escalation of hostilities, whereas the residents of the city are keeping their fingers crossed.

As Wednesday dawned on Zaman Park, there was no let-up in clashes between PTI workers and law enforcement agencies. Party supporters retaliated with petrol bombs as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse PTI activists, and gunshots were also heard. The party workers collected and showed empty bullet shells on posts widely circulated on social media.

Police initially suspended the operation due to a PSL match scheduled for the evening, saying the operation would resume after the cricket match.

In the meantime, the LHC suspended the police operation until 10am on Thursday (today).

In the early hours of Wednesday, Imran Khan released a video message alleging that attempts to arrest him were part of an alleged 'London Plan' that required his imprisonment. He said the London Plan also required the dismantling of the PTI and getting cases against Nawaz Sharif quashed.

Stating that police and Rangers were raiding time and again as if they wanted to conquer Zaman Park, he said, he gave an undertaking to LHCBA President Ishtiaq A. Khan for a personal appearance before the court on March 18 to avoid confrontation. He regretted the Punjab police DIG did not receive his undertaking because of the 'London Plan'.

In his second address, Mr Khan appeared on screens with a number of empty tear gas shells and bullets neatly arranged on his tabletop. He urged the establishment and the judiciary to stop the 'drama' going outside his residence and stop working on the 'London Plan'.

He said the criminals currently in the corridors of power wanted to 'minus Imran Khan' so that he should not contest upcoming elections.

In a question posed to 'neutrals' - a euphemism he uses for the military establishment - Mr Khan asked why they allowed the Rangers to come and raid his residence. 'What crime I have committed that the Rangers...