Pakistan: Former Pakistan prime minister, Imran Khan, has claimed that the true intention of the Pakistan police was to kidnap and murder him and that the plan to arrest him was simply a pretence.
He made this serious accusation via a tweet amidst dramatic scenes in Lahore, where his supporters had obstructed the police from taking him into custody. Khan’s allegation casts doubts on the motives of the Pakistani authorities and adds to the already tense political atmosphere in the country.
Additional personnel have been requested as the confrontation between his followers and law enforcement officers persists.
Khan has shared a video on Twitter that showed bullet casings, claiming that they were evidence of the police’s malicious intentions.
According to Khan, the police’s declaration of intending to arrest him was just a show because their true intention was to kidnap and kill him. Khan alleges that the police escalated their use of force from tear gas and water cannons to live ammunition. Despite signing a surety bond the previous night, Khan claims that the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) refused to acknowledge it. He believes that this refusal is further evidence of their malicious intent.
Imran Khan criticized the “Establishment” for deploying paramilitary forces to handle his supporters while also questioning the position of those who claim to be neutral. He expressed his disbelief at the Rangers’ actions, who confronted unarmed protesters and leaders of the largest political party when their leader faced an illegal warrant and an ongoing case in court. Khan accused the government of being dishonest and attempting to abduct and potentially kill him, questioning whether this was an appropriate demonstration of neutrality.
Imran Khan, who is both a renowned politician and former cricket star at the age of 70, is being sought after for his alleged involvement in the Toshakhana corruption case. In October of last year, the Pakistani election commission declared him guilty of illegally selling gifts that he received from foreign officials during his tenure as prime minister. Consequently, he was charged in an anti-corruption court. After Khan ignored the summons, the court issued a warrant for his arrest last week.
Following Imran Khan’s call to action, his supporters took to the streets in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi. In a video message released the previous evening, Khan urged his followers to mobilize, claiming that the police were attempting to apprehend him.
He further stated that the authorities believed that if he were imprisoned, the public would become complacent. Khan implored his supporters to disprove this notion and demonstrate that the “qaum” (people) were still active and engaged.
He urged his supporters to stand up for their rights and take to the streets, acknowledging that God had blessed him with many advantages. Khan declared that he had always fought for his people’s cause and would continue to do so. However, he warned that his followers must demonstrate that they could continue the struggle without him if he were to be jailed or killed.
