Former Pakistan premier Imran Khan, who’s embroiled in a standoff with the government and military, said he won’t comply with a request from authorities to vacate his residence so they can do a thorough search for those accused of attacking military facilities during protests last week.
(Bloomberg) — Former Pakistan premier Imran Khan, who’s embroiled in a standoff with the government and military, said he won’t comply with a request from authorities to vacate his residence so they can do a thorough search for those accused of attacking military facilities during protests last week.
Authorities had earlier searched his residential compound after Khan, 70, defied a Thursday deadline to hand over dozens of people accused of being involved in the violence sparked by his arrest on May 9.
Meanwhile, the government began clearing some barricades and debris around his home in the upscale Zaman Park area of Lahore.
The political drama is unfolding as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government is struggling to steer an economy in deep crisis. There are concerns the tensions may push an International Monetary Fund $6.7 billion bailout further out of reach and bring Pakistan to the edge of default.
Key Developments
(All times Pakistan local)
Khan Refuses to Leave Residence to Allow Search for Suspects (9:13 p.m.)
Imran Khan said he refused a request from authorities to vacate his residence in Lahore while they conduct a second, more-thorough search for suspects.
“We don’t trust them. We will see them in the court,” he told reporters gathered at his home.
He also said that he was given the names of eight men who are accused of burning buildings in the protests after his arrest last week. “I told them to give us proof of their involvement and we will help you arrest those involved,” he said.
Khan also accused his opponents of seeking to crush and ban his party.
Authorities Plan to Clear Camps, Barriers Around Khan’s Home (8:15 p.m.)
The government plans to remove makeshift protest camps, containers and other barriers in the area around Imran Khan’s resident in the upscale Zaman Park area, Amir Mir, Punjab’s caretaker information minister, told Geo TV.
The government and Khan haven’t reached an agreement over the issue, he said.
Political Parties and Traders Rally to Support Army (7:03 p.m.)
Traders and political parties rallied in Karachi on Friday to condemn the May 9 violence and show their support for the country’s army, said Nisar Jadoon, an inspector at Karachi police.
Hundreds of marchers from Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal-Jamat, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid and All Karachi Tajir Ittehad, a representative body of the city’s small traders, chanted slogans in favor of the armed forces, said Jadoon.
Government Starts Searching Khan’s Home (5:26 p.m.)
Officials from Punjab police reached Imran Khan’s residence with a warrant and started searching his house, Khan’s party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf confirmed from Lahore.
Local and international news agencies were covering the event live as officials in uniform and plain clothes entered and searched different sections of the former prime minister’s residence for allegedly sheltering some people involved in the May 9 violence.
Khan Agrees to Have Property Searched (3:29 p.m.)
However, it remains unclear what time the search of the former leader’s home will start, his lawyer Intazar Hussain Panjutha said.
A Punjab official previously said he had information that 30 to 40 people involved in attacks on military facilities were sheltering at Khan’s house.
Courts Grant Khan Bail in Terror Cases (1:15 p.m.)
Two Lahore courts have granted Khan bail in four terrorism cases filed against him, his lawyer Rana Mubasher confirmed by phone.
The bail is set until June 2.
Police Arrest Six People Linked to Army Attacks (12:27 p.m.)
Lahore police say they have detained six Khan supporters as they were leaving the area where his house is located.
All six people are accused of being involved in attacks on military facilities in the city, according to a police statement.
This is second such arrest in the past two days.
Political Turmoil Weighs on Stock Market (12:00 p.m.)
Pakistan’s key stock index rose slightly by 0.15% in Friday’s first session after declining for two straight days.
“The intertwining of political dynamics and economic uncertainties, alongside the prevailing risk to law and order, is causing notable confusion and apprehension among market participants,” says Ali Raza, head of international equities trading at BMA Capital, in Karachi. The rupee is almost unchanged at 285.6 a dollar.
Hundreds of Police Enlisted for House Search (11:55 a.m.)
Some 400 police officers are set to take part in a search of Khan’s residence.
The mission will be led by the Lahore commissioner, who will meet Khan first, Punjab’s information minister said in a phone message.
The meeting will be held after Friday prayers, Amir Mir added.
Khan Arrives in Court to Seek Bail in Terror Cases (10:20 a.m.)
Khan is seeking bail from a special court in Lahore in several terrorism cases that he faces, Salman Safdar, a lawyer on his legal team said by phone.
Khan has previously denied the allegations and called them politically motivated. The former cricketer faces nearly 150 cases — ranging from corruption to murder — since his ouster from power last year.
Later in the day he’s expected to go to Lahore High Court, seeking protection from arrest in several other cases.
President Asks Khan to Condemn May 9 Events (11:30 p.m.)
President Arif Alvi says Imran Khan should openly condemn the violence on May 9, in which military and state properties were attacked.
Alvi, who is allied with Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, made the comments on a Geo News program.
Authorities Will Seek to Search Khan’s Lahore Home (10:05 p.m.)
The Punjab government says police will be sent to search Khan’s Lahore residence on Friday, to look for supporters who officials accuse of being involved in attacks on military facilities, Amir Mir, provincial information minister, told Geo TV.
A team led by the city commissioner will seek Khan’s consent for the search. Mir said. Police arrested at least eight people leaving his residence Wednesday evening.
Loyalists Exit Khan’s Party as Clash With Army Deepens (3:55 p.m.)
Khan’s former climate minister Malik Amin Aslam has quit the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, he said at a press conference, the latest high profile member to leave the party citing the violence last week that targeted army property.
More than a dozen senior members have left over the past week, according to their social media posts or news reports.
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