NOS News•
Pakistani police today attempted to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan at his home in Lahore. Khan, accused of selling state gifts, was not found at home. Khan is trying to evade arrest, according to police.
Images posted on social media show that as police officers approach Khan’s home in Lahore, they are stopped by supporters of the 70-year-old former prime minister.
A court in Islamabad issued an arrest warrant for Khan this week. That was done because he refuses to attend hearings in the criminal case brought against him over the illegal buying and selling of gifts he received from foreign dignitaries during his premiership. Khan denies the allegations.
Khan, a former top cricketer, took office as prime minister in 2018. Last year he was dismissed by parliament after a vote.
After that, Khan, who still enjoys strong support from the Pakistani people, led protests demanding early elections for his successor, Prime Minister Sharif. At one such protest, he was shot in the shin.
Tuesday in court
After today’s botched arrest, Khan addressed his supporters. He said he is being subpoenaed for “fake cases” and his life was in danger. “I’ve said this before, and I was proven right when I was attacked, that my life is in danger,” Khan said.
“They continue to sue me in various courts in Lahore and Islamabad while not providing any security, despite being aware of the danger I am in.”
Khan is due to appear in court next Tuesday. If he doesn’t, the police will have to arrest him and bring him to court, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said.
