Islamabad: Pakistani police on Sunday registered a terrorism case against Imran Khan and over a dozen PTI leaders for indulging in vandalism, attacking security personnel and creating unrest outside the judicial complex here ahead of a court hearing in a graft case involving the ousted premier.
Clashes erupted outside the Islamabad Judicial Complex on Saturday when Khan arrived in Islamabad from Lahore to attend a much awaited hearing in the Toshakhana case. During the confrontation between PTI workers and police, over 25 security personnel were injured, prompting additional district and sessions Judge Zafar Iqbal to defer the court hearing till March 30.
The case was registered against arrested PTI workers and wanted party leaders. About 17 PTI leaders were named in the FIR lodged by Islamabad Police, Geo News reported. The FIR states the workers damaged the police check post and the main gate of the judicial complex, it said.
In all, 18 people were arrested for arson, pelting stones and damaging the complex, said the FIR. “About two police vehicles and seven motorcycles were burned,” it added.
Imran, 70, arrived in Islamabad from Lahore to appear before the court. Soon after he left for Islamabad, over 10,000 armed Punjab police personnel stormed his Zaman Park home in Lahore and arrested dozens of his party workers.
The police personnel removed the barricades and tents at the entrance of Imran's residence and evicted hundreds of his supporters. They conducted a search at the house after demolishing its main gate and walls. About 10 workers were injured in the police operation. PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said the party will get cases registered against police officers involved in the “illegal operations” and violence at Imran’s house.
“Today, a meeting of the legal team has been called. The way in which the police defied the Lahore HC’s decision entering Imran Khan’s residence has trampled every rule of the home’s sanctity. Innocent people were subjected to torture,” he tweeted.
