LAHORE, May 18: A large number of Punjab police personnel today surrounded the house of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore and may launch a security operation any time to arrest the “terrorists” allegedly holed up in his residence as the Government’s 24-hour deadline to hand them over expired.
The caretaker Punjab Government says the police action at Khan’s Zaman Park residence is expected any time soon as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief has failed to meet the deadline to hand over the terrorists.
Senior police officer Hasan Bhatti today claimed that they arrested eight people from Zaman Park area who are suspected to be involved in the attacks on the army installations on May 9.
Khan’s party disputed the claim, saying the police brought a bunch of arrested individuals to Zaman Park to prove that they had been taken into custody outside their leader’s residence.
The policemen armed with heavy machinery have taken positions near Zaman Park. Police have also blocked all roads leading to Khan’s residence by erecting barriers. Jammers have been placed in the area.
Citing sources, Geo News reported that the Inspector General of Punjab Police and the capital city police officer have asked the police to remain “vigilant”.
On Wednesday, Punjab’s caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir claimed that some ’30 to 40′ terrorists were hiding inside Khan’s Zaman Park residence and gave an ultimatum of 24 hours to the chief to hand them over or face stern action.
The Minister said today that as the deadline expired the police may raid Zaman Park to arrest the terrorists including Khan’s nephew Hassan Niazi who is reportedly hiding there.
Khan, meanwhile, asked the Government to send the police team with search warrants as it would not object to it.
He has claimed that the decision to arrest him has been taken and he will be tried under the Pakistan Army Act and Official Secrets Act in connection with attacks on military installations. He said he would be kept in jail for 10 years under sedition charges. (PTI)
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