Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan seems in courtroom, fearing arrest By Reuters

By Ariba Shahid and Akhtar Soomro

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) -Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan appeared in courtroom on Saturday as police had been coming into his residence and after he expressed worry of arrest in a standoff with the federal government that has led to intense clashes together with his supporters.

Dealing with a spate of authorized challenges, together with one which prompted a failed try and arrest him on Tuesday, Khan was addressing fees within the courtroom within the capital Islamabad of unlawfully promoting state items given to him by overseas dignitaries whereas in workplace.

Khan says he adopted authorized procedures in buying the items.

Hours earlier at his residence in Lahore, the previous cricket legend instructed Reuters he has shaped a committee to guide his get together if he’s arrested.

He has led nationwide protests after his ouster from energy final yr and has had a spate of circumstances registered towards him. The police unsuccessfully tried to arrest him on Tuesday.

Police entered his property after Khan entered the Islamabad courtroom. Earlier this week, police and Khan’s supporters clashed outdoors his residence earlier in the course of the arrest try.

Khan, who was shot and wounded whereas campaigning in November, mentioned in an interview the menace to his life is larger than earlier than and asserted – with out offering proof – that his political opponents and the navy wish to block him from standing in elections later this yr.

The navy and authorities didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.

Safety was tight across the judicial advanced the place Khan, 70, arrived in a motorcade surrounded by supporters.

‘GOVT INTENDS TO ARREST ME’

The courtroom has beforehand issued arrest warrants for Khan within the case as he had failed to look on earlier hearings regardless of summons.

On his assurance that he would seem on Saturday, the courtroom granted Khan safety towards arrest, however he mentioned he feared the police and authorities deliberate to take him into custody.

“It’s now clear that, regardless of my having gotten bail in all my circumstances, the (Pakistan Democratic Motion coalition) govt intends to arrest me. Regardless of realizing their malafide intentions, I’m continuing to Islamabad & the courtroom bec(ause) I imagine in rule of legislation,” Khan mentioned on Twitter.

“Additionally it is apparent now that the complete siege of Lahore was not about making certain I seem earlier than the courtroom in a case however was meant to take me away to jail in order that I’m unable to guide our election marketing campaign.”

Pakistan’s data minister mentioned this week the federal government had nothing to do with the police motion and the police had been complying with courtroom orders.

The case being heard on Saturday pertains to fees that Khan offered luxurious watches and different objects given to the state throughout his 2018-2022 time period as prime minister.

There have been reviews of recent clashes between police and supporters of Khan and his get together, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Lahore.

Punjab Info Minister Amir Mir instructed Reuters that police had arrived outdoors Khan’s home to gather proof about assaults on police and folks needed in numerous circumstances.

“When police arrived, the PTI activists tried to cease them by pelting stones and baton assaults. In retaliation, police arrested lots of them. Police had already knowledgeable the PTI management in regards to the proof assortment course of,” Mir mentioned.