Violent clashes broke out as authorities tried to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan at his home in Lahore for failing to appear in court on corruption charges.
Clashes Break Out As Authorities Attempt To Arrest Pakistan's Former Prime Minister
- By RFE/RL
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Followers of Pakistan’s main political party, Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI), clashed with police on March 14 outside the residence of party chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan in eastern Lahore after police arrived to arrest him.
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Supporters of the former prime minister fought off riot police as they tried to enter the compound.
Khan is accused of selling official gifts received from foreign dignitaries without authorization and failing to disclose them as assets to the electoral commission.
Khan is accused of selling official gifts received from foreign dignitaries without authorization and failing to disclose them as assets to the electoral commission.
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Supporters set fires and blocked roads during the clashes with police, who fired tear gas and water cannons at the stone-pelting crowds.
Two courts in Islamabad on March 13 issued arrest warrants for Khan over his failure to appear before judges in the graft case.
Two courts in Islamabad on March 13 issued arrest warrants for Khan over his failure to appear before judges in the graft case.
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Khan addresses the media on November 4, 2022, a day after an assassination attempt on his life.
Since his ouster last April in a no-confidence vote in parliament, Khan has routinely ignored arrest warrants and court summonses in a string of cases, claiming they are a plot by the government led by his successor, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Since his ouster last April in a no-confidence vote in parliament, Khan has routinely ignored arrest warrants and court summonses in a string of cases, claiming they are a plot by the government led by his successor, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
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At least 69 people have been injured in the violence in Lahore, including 34 police officers, a Pakistani police official said on the condition of anonymity.
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Video images released by PTI showed police striking Khan supporters with batons and lobbing tear-gas canisters, some of which landed on the lawn of Khan's house, while Khan's supporters hurled rocks and bricks at the officers.
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A police officer fires a tear gas shell to disperse Khan's supporters.
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PTI supporters chant anti-government slogans in Lahore on March 14.
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Anti-government protests were also reported in other cities around Pakistan.
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Vehicles burned late into the night after the clashes.
Khan has skipped indictment hearings three times in the case in which he is accused of concealing details of the gifts in his asset declarations.
Khan has skipped indictment hearings three times in the case in which he is accused of concealing details of the gifts in his asset declarations.
