Pakistani police and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed outside his residence in Lahore the night before he could be arrested.
Here are 10 takeaways from this big story:
-
Last October, Imran Khan, 70, was found guilty by the Pakistani election commission of selling illegal gifts to foreign dignitaries.
-
Under Pakistani law governing Islamabad’s “Toshakhana” – which means “treasure house” in Persian – politicians can withhold official state gifts by paying a percentage of the value certain for the government.
-
Charges were filed against the cricketer-turned-politician in an anti-corruption court last week. The arrest warrant was issued after Mr Khan ignored the summons.
-
Pakistani police used water cannon and tear gas to repel hundreds of Khan’s supporters who had gathered outside his house to prevent his arrest on Tuesday. An activist from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was killed in clashes with police.
-
This is the second time in recent weeks that police have been dispatched from Islamabad to serve an arrest warrant for Mr Khan after he ignored several court summons.
-
As chaos ensued outside his residence, Mr Khan issued a video message. stated: “The police have come to arrest me. They think that if Imran Khan goes to jail, people will go to sleep. You have to prove them wrong, you have to prove that the qaum (people) are alive.”
-
“You have to fight for your rights, you have to take to the streets. God has given Imran Khan everything. I am fighting your battle. I have fought my whole life and will continue to do so. But if something happens to me they imprison me or kill me you have to prove that you can fight even without Imran Khan you have to prove that you will never accept slavery this rule and rule of one man. Pakistan zindabad,” he added.
-
On Monday, Lahore police indicted Mr Khan in a case related to the death of PTI worker – Ali Bilal alias Zille Shah – in a traffic accident. Earlier, Lahore police registered the FIR against Mr Khan and 400 others for the murder of Shah.
-
It is the 81st FIR against Mr Khan since the PML-N-led federal coalition came to power 11 months ago.
-
Mr Khan was ousted last April after losing a vote of no confidence which he accused was part of a US-led conspiracy.
