New Delhi: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday (March 15, 2023) said that the claim of his arrest on corruption charges was a “mere drama” and the real intention was to “abduct and kill” him.
“Clearly the claim of “arrest” was mere drama as the real intention is to kidnap and kill. With tear gas and water cannons, they have now resorted to live firing. I signed a bond last evening, but the DIG Refused to even believe it. There is no doubt about his malicious intent,” he said in a tweet after police arrived at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore on Tuesday to arrest him in the Toshakhana case.
Clearly the claim of “arrest” was mere drama as the real intention was to kidnap and kill. From tear gas and water cannons, they have now resorted to live firing. I signed a bond last evening, but the DIG refused to accept it. There is no doubt about their malicious intent. pic.twitter.com/5LZtZE8Ies— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 15, 2023
Despite a more than eight-hour-long police operation outside his residence, Police could not arrest Imran Khan in Toshakhana case Due to strong opposition from PTI workers.
Supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman clashed with police outside his residence to thwart his arrest.
Several policemen and workers of his party were injured and protests broke out in several cities across the country.
Earlier in the day, Khan slammed the Shehbaz Sharif-led government for hatching a conspiracy to arrest him and said it was part of the “London plan” to eliminate all cases against the country’s former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
Cricketer-turned-politician Imran said in a video message that an agreement has been signed in London to put him in jail and topple his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.
“It is part of London’s plan and an agreement has been signed there to put Imran in jail, bring down PTI and drop all cases against Nawaz Sharif,” he said in the 2:50-minute long video.
He also criticized the police for ‘attacking’ his supporters and using tear gas and water cannons.
Imran Khan said, “Nawaz Sharif has been assured that I and my party will be attacked and brought down.”
My message to my country.https://t.co/Evu9soBX69— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
On Tuesday, the 70-year-old had asked his supporters to “come out” to fight for real freedom and continue the struggle even if killed or arrested.
“They (the government) think that the country will sleep after my arrest. You will have to prove them wrong,” he said.
The PTI chief said, “God has given me everything, and I am fighting this battle for you. I have been fighting this battle all my life and will continue to fight.”
“If anything happens to me and I am sent to jail or I am killed, you will have to prove that you will fight without Imran Khan and the slavery of these thieves and the one person who decides for the country will not accept.” ,” Khan said.
My message to the nation to stand firm and fight for true freedom and rule of law. pic.twitter.com/bgVuOjsmHG— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 14, 2023
Soon after his speech, protests broke out in Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Faisalabad, Sargodha, Vehari, Peshawar, Quetta, and Mianwali.
Khan has been in the crosshairs for buying gifts, including an expensive Graff wristwatch, which he obtained as a premier at a discounted price from a state depository called Toshakhana, and selling them for a profit.
Khan was ousted from power in April last year after losing a no-confidence vote, which he alleged was part of a US-led conspiracy targeting him because of his independent foreign policy decisions on Russia, China and Afghanistan .
Since his ouster, he has been fighting for immediate elections to oust the “imported government” led by PM Shehbaz Sharif.
Sharif has said that elections will be held later this year after the completion of the five-year term of the parliament.