Zaman Park raid

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Siege Of Zaman Park
Date18 March 2023
LocationLahore, Punjab, Pakistan
TypeAttempted arrest
CauseConnection with the Toshkhana case
TargetImran Khan
PerpetratorLaw enforcement agencies
OutcomeClashes between PTI supporters and security forces
Non-fatal injuries54 policemen seriously injured, 32 officers received first aid
Related2023 Pakistani protests
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On 18 March 2023, the Punjab Police raided the residence of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Zaman Park in Lahore, Pakistan.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] The law enforcement agencies made several attempts to arrest Khan in connection with the Toshkhana case. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) claimed that Imran Khan's residence in Zaman Park was under attack and released footage of armed law enforcement officials firing shots. The clash between PTI supporters and security forces continued for two days, during which police and Punjab Rangers repeatedly attempted to enter Imran Khan's residence with armored vehicles.[8][9][10]

On the second day of the conflict, Imran Khan spoke to the nation via video link, urging the judiciary and establishment to put an end to the "farce" and think about the country's well-being. Imran Khan pointed out that the case against him was being heard at the F8 Katcheri in Islamabad, where explosions had occurred in the past, and that the Interior Ministry had declared his life to be in danger.[11]

Background[edit]

On 14 March 2023, after 02:00 pm (PST) armoured vehicles of police arrived outside former Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan’s residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, Pakistan.[12] The police used baton charge, tear gas and water cannon against PTI supporters who had gathered outside Zaman Park as law enforcement personnel attempted to arrest Khan in connection with the Toshakhana reference case.[13] According to the Inspector General of Police Usman Anwar, a force of 300 Punjab Police personnel along with Islamabad police officials were involved in the operation.[14] In the early hours of 15 March 2023, police and Punjab Rangers took up positions on The Mall followed by a few prison vans and Rescue 1122 vehicles.[15]

Later on 15 March 2023, the police was ordered by the Lahore High Court (LHC) to suspend the operation that began a day earlier outside Zaman Park in Lahore until 10:00 am (PST) the next day, when the court was to resume proceedings in the case.[16] The police withdrew and suspended the operation in order to enable the knockout matches of the ongoing Pakistan Super League tournament to be played as scheduled in Lahore.[17][18]

On 16 March 2023, Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh of the LHC extended its order until the next day.[19]

Clashes[edit]

Further information: 2023 Pakistani protests

During the clashes, PTI supporters threw stones at the security personnel, while police officials fired tear gas canisters at the protesters. In retaliation, PTI supporters set fire to a water tanker belonging to the Lahore Waste Management Authority, motorcycles, and other vehicles in the area. They also looted a warden's office on Mall Road.[11]

According to Punjab Inspector General Usman Anwar, 54 policemen were "seriously injured" since the clashes started, while 32 officers received first aid from Rescue 1122. The IG clarified that all roads in Lahore were open to traffic, except those near Zaman Park, and the same was true for educational institutions in the city.[11]

The Islamabad High Court considered a plea against Imran Khan's arrest warrants and asked the PTI to remove objections from the petition. The authenticity of the PTI's footage of armed law enforcement personnel opening fire at Imran Khan's residence could not be independently verified, and it was unclear if it was from that day.[11]

The police was granted permission by the Lahore High Court to search Khan's Zaman Park residence as part of an investigation into attacks on police units.[20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Police launch surprise 'assault' on Imran's residence". The Express Tribune. 18 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Police arrest PTI workers, uproot camps in raid at Imran Khan's Zaman Park home". Dunya News. 18 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Punjab police says it found weapons, petrol bombs from Imran Khan's house". Business Recorder. 18 March 2023.
  4. ^ Gabol, Imran (19 March 2023). "Punjab police dismantle gate to break into Imran's house". DAWN.
  5. ^ "AK-47s, bullets recovered from Imran Khan's Zaman Park residence: police". The News International. 18 March 2023.
  6. ^ Sheikh, Saleem (18 March 2023). "Weapons found at Imran Khan's Zaman Park residence during police raid". Aaj English TV.
  7. ^ Naseer, Khawaja (18 March 2023). "Police raid Imran Khan's Zaman Park residence". ARY NEWS.
  8. ^ "Pakistan: Riot police fire teargas on crowds trying to prevent arrest of Imran Khan". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Pakistani police fire tear gas into Imran Khan's home as defiant former leader resists arrest". CNN. 14 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Imran Khan: Pakistan's former PM decries arrest attempt amid violence". BBC News. 14 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  11. ^ a b c d "PTI claims Zaman Park 'under extreme attack' by law enforcement personnel". Dawn. 15 March 2023. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  12. ^ Rasheed, Safdar (15 March 2023). "Pitched battles ahead of IK's possible arrest". Business Recorder.
  13. ^ "Hours-long clashes with PTI supporters as police attempt to arrest Imran Khan". Business Recorder. 14 March 2023.
  14. ^ Farooq, Umar (14 March 2023). "Zaman Park stand-off for Imran's arrest continues for more than 12 hours as more reinforcements arrive". DAWN.
  15. ^ Khan, Ahmad Fraz (15 March 2023). "Zaman Park remains under siege". DAWN.
  16. ^ "Attempt to arrest Imran Khan: LHC orders police to suspend Zaman Park operation". Business Recorder. 15 March 2023.
  17. ^ Malik, Mansoor; Sheikh, Wajih Ahmad (16 March 2023). "Punjab capital smoulders amid lull in Zaman Park operation". DAWN.
  18. ^ "Cricket comes to Imran Khan's rescue as police halt operation". Al Jazeera. 15 March 2023.
  19. ^ "LHC extends break in police operation at Zaman Park till Friday". Dunya News. 16 March 2023.
  20. ^ Lateef, Samaan (18 March 2023). "Imran Khan's arrest warrant cancelled after police use bulldozers to raid house". The Telegraph.
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