Imran ‘unavailable’ for arrest, addresses PTI workers as police remain outside Zaman Park

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Sunday addressed his party workers and supporters at his Zaman Park residence in Lahore despite being “unavailable” to the police present outside to arrest him.

The Islamabad Police along with their Punjab Police counterparts arrived at Imran’s residence earlier in the day to take Imran into custody for his persistent absences from Toshakhana court hearings.

The 70-year-old former prime minister, who has been recovering from a gunshot injury from an assassination attempt in Wazirabad last year, has thrice skipped  indictment hearings in an Islamabad sessions court in the case.

Addressing the crowd of PTI loyalists, Imran said he had never “bowed before any man or institution, and will never let you do so as well”.

Imran is accused of concealing, in his assets declarations, details of the gifts he retained from the Toshakhana — a repository where presents handed to government officials from foreign officials are kept. Officials are legally allowed to retain gifts provided they pay a pre-assessed amount, typically a fraction of the value of the gift.

In a series of tweets today, the Islamabad Police said an operation to arrest Imran was being conducted with the cooperation of the Lahore police.

It stated that the PTI chief was “avoiding” the arrest, adding that the superintendent of police had “gone into Imran’s room but he was not present there”.

“Islamabad Police will transfer Imran Khan to Islamabad under their protection. Law is equal for all,” it said adding that legal action would be taken against those obstructing the execution of court orders.

Separately, Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Akbar Nasir said that the police had delivered the court’s notice to Imran and confirmed that it had to be received.

PTI leader Shibli Faraz received the summons on Imran’s behalf, writing on the document that it was received at 12:58pm and that “Chairman Imran Khan is not available however we will comply with all legal processes”.