After Dodging Arrest, Imran Khan Cites 'Assassination Threat', Demands Security For Court Appearances

Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) and requested adequate security arrangements for his appearances in the court citing a "grave threat" to his life.

New Delhi: After dodging arrest in Toshakhana Case at his Lahore residence, Former Pakistan prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Sunday wrote a letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and requested adequate security arrangements for his appearances in the court due to possible assassination attempts against him, The Express Tribune reported.

"I wish to draw your attention to a very critical issue. Ever since the removal of my government through a regime change operation, I have been confronted with questionable FIRs, threats, and finally an assassination attempt," Imran Khan said in the letter, as quoted by The Express Tribune.

Khan complained of not being provided adequate security despite being the country's former PM. He alleged that the current Prime Minister and Interior Minister were involved in the failed assassination attempt against him. He said that there were clear indications of another assassination attempt against him.

Khan said that to date, 74 cases had been registered against him, as per the news report. He stressed that the right to life is a fundamental right under the constitution and added that there is a "grave threat" to his life. "There are clear indications of another assassination attempt being plotted on my life," he said.

"To date, there are 74 cases against me and I am being made to appear in court for hearings time and often. I am chairman of the largest political party in the country and wherever I go massive crowds naturally follow. This further aggravates the prevailing security threat. Right to life is a fundamental right under the Constitution and there is a grave threat to my life," he added.

During his last appearance before the Lahore High Court Imran Khan said that there was a "total failure" of official security, as per The Express Tribune report. He further stated that the same happened in Islamabad when he had to appear before different courts. He requested the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take action on the threat he faces from those in power and to ensure adequate security if his appearance in court is necessary.

PTI chief requested a video link facility for court appearances due to severe threats to his life. Earlier in the day, Imran Khan demanded a "public trial" of the Toshakhana case before a crowd gathered inside Zaman Park, as per The Express Tribune report.

Never Bowed Before Any Man Or Institution, Will Never Let You Do So As Well: Imran Khan 

Addressing PTI supporters on Sunday, Imran Khan said he had never "bowed before any man or institution, and will never let you do so as well", as reported by Dawn. The PTI chief was speaking to his party workers and supporters at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore despite being "unavailable" to the police present outside to arrest him.

According to Dawn, Khan said he had called the public to Zaman Park to pay tribute to them for the way they participated in the 'Jail Bharo Tehreek' (court arrest movement), as per the Dawn report. "I did not call you for my support but to thank you," he added. He said "only a nation, and not a group" could confront the challenges being faced by the country.

Islamabad Police Arrived At Imran Khan's Lahore Residence To Arrest Him In Toshakhana Case

Islamabad Police had arrived at the former PM’s residence at Zaman Park in Lahore to arrest him in the Toshakhana case. According to Geo News, an Islamabad police official said that they were in Lahore as Imran Khan failed to appear before a court in the Toshakhana case.

According to Dawn, Imran Khan is accused of concealing in his declaration of assets and he is hiding details of gifts that he retained from the Toshakhana. Toshakhana is a repository where gifts that are handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept. According to Dawn, the officials are allowed to retain gifts after paying a pre-assessed amount, which is typically a fraction of the value of the gift.

The official added that they have arrived at Zaman Park under the leadership of a superintendent of police (SP). "We are being assisted by the Lahore police," said the police official, quoted by Geo News.

Islamabad Police took to Twitter and said that the operation to arrest the former Pakistan PM was being done with the cooperation of the Lahore Police.

In the tweet, Islamabad Police informed that it reached the former Pak PM's residence to arrest him as per the court's orders.

Local media reported that PTI workers had gathered at Imran Khan's Zaman Park residence after the arrival of police.

According to Geo News, Additional sessions judge Zafar Iqbal had earlier issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against PTI Chief Imran Khan on February 28.

Attempt To Arrest Imran Khan Will Seriously Worsen The Situation: Fawad Chaudhry

Reacting to the reports of action by the police, PTI senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry, warned of a worsening situation in the country if the government moves against the former prime minister, as mentioned by Geo News in its report. "Any attempt to arrest Imran Khan will seriously worsen the situation, I want to warn this incompetent and anti-Pakistan government not to push Pakistan into further crisis and act sensibly," said Fawad, as quoted by Geo News.