Tensions ran high at Zaman Park in Lahore as clashes erupted between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and the police. The police had surrounded the area from all sides while all the superintendents of police in Lahore were summoned to the scene. The clashes broke out as the police attempted to arrest PTI Chairman Imran Khan.
اپنی قوم کو میرا پیغام ہے کہ پوری ہمت و استقامت سے کھڑی ہو اور حقیقی آزادی و قانون کی حکمرانی کیلئے میدانِ عمل میں ڈٹ جائے! pic.twitter.com/ln4hLFu8Sp
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
The situation escalated quickly as tear gas was shelled intermittently in Zaman Park, while PTI workers pelted stones at the police. The clashes resulted in injuries to 14 police personnel, including DIG Operations Shahzad Bukhari. Ten of the injured were from Lahore, while four were from Islamabad police. Additionally, three PTI workers were also injured during the stone pelting and tear gas shelling.
What's going on in Pakistan? What type of democratic state is it? Where the ex PM Imran Khan house is under attack by police and rangers. They ousted him from government illegally but failed to defeat. So they start fascism to afraid him but he really has strong nerves pic.twitter.com/8ghL4C1nTy
— K.D.Federico (@KDFeder) March 14, 2023
The police had taken control of the gate of Imran Khan's house in the evening, and some PTI workers were arrested. DIG Islamabad Shehzad Bukhari was injured by the stone pelting by PTI workers in Zaman Park. Meanwhile, shelling was done inside Imran Khan's house.
Earlier, when the police reached Imran Khan's house, PTI workers started pelting stones at the police. PTI workers had gathered in large numbers in Zaman Park to prevent the arrest of their chairman. As soon as the police advanced towards Zaman Park, the PTI workers came forward and started pelting stones at the police, making loud noise and shouting slogans.
The tension spread in Zaman Park, and PTI leaders came forward to face the police. The police used water cannons in Zaman Park, and tear gas shells were also provided to the anti-rights unit. More than a thousand people were ordered to be on alert.
Will @ImranKhanPTI become more popular after his arrest today?
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) March 14, 2023
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Watch exclusive interview of PM @CMShehbaz with @HamidMirPAK tonight at 8 on Geo News pic.twitter.com/SfoZCbqb7Z
DIG Operations Islamabad Shahzad Bukhari, speaking to the media in Zaman Park, said that they had come to comply with the warrant. He added that they knew the details of the case but could not discuss it there. When asked where they would arrest Imran Khan and take him, he replied that they would keep the media informed after the event.
نیازی صاحب باہر نکلیں، بہادر بنیں کہاں چھپ گئے ہیں #باہر_نکلو_چوہے pic.twitter.com/4Y416LVY9Y
— Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) March 14, 2023
The situation arose as the Islamabad court restored the non-bailable arrest warrant of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, while pronouncing a reserved decision on the immunity petition filed by Chairman PTI in the Tosha Khana case. The court had ordered the police to arrest and produce Imran Khan on March 18. The court also rejected Imran Khan's plea for exemption from attendance, after which the PTI chairman's non-bailable arrest warrant was reinstated.
The clashes between the PTI workers and the police are a result of the political tension in the country. The authorities must ensure that the law and order situation is under control and that no harm comes to anyone involved in the clashes. It is crucial to handle the situation peacefully and democratically to avoid any further escalation of violence.
