Lahore's Zaman Park under siege after clashes between police and Imran Khan's supporters
The Hindu
"If something happens to me and I am sent to jail or if I am killed, you have to prove that you will struggle without Imran Khan and not accept the slavery of these thieves and of the one person who has been making decisions for the country," says Imran Khan
Tear gas shells, burnt tyres and vehicles litter the roads in Lahore's Zaman Park area which has turned into a battleground after supporters of Imran Khan engaged in pitched battles lasting over 11 hours with police personnel to stop them from arresting the ousted Pakistan Premier, resulting in injuries to dozens of policemen.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police clashed on March 14, in Lahore's Zaman Park area after a contingent of the Islamabad police, along with armoured vehicles, reached party chief Mr. Khan's Lahore home to arrest him after a non-bailable warrant was issued in the ongoing Toshakhana (gift depository) case against him.
Also Read:Pakistan court cancels bail of ex-PM Imran Khan in Election Commission protest case
"Clearly 'arrest' claim was mere drama because real intent is to abduct & assassinate. From tear gas & water cannons, they have now resorted to live firing. I signed a surety bond last evening, but the DIG refused to even entertain it. There is no doubt of their mala fide intent," Mr. Khan tweeted on March 15.
The police, with their riot gear on and backed by Rangers, closed in on 70-year-old Mr. Khan's home in order to comply with the court orders to arrest him in the Toshakhana case.
Fearing the worst, various PTI leaders, including Mr. Khan himself, appealed to party workers to rush to Zaman Park, where they served as human shields and stood between Mr. Khan's residence and the police.
The police fired tear gas shells but were met with resistance and found PTI workers undeterred.
