Real intent is to abduct and assassinate, tweets Imran Khan as Zaman Park stalemate continues

"Clearly 'arrest' claim was mere drama because real intent is to abduct & assassinate. From tear gas & water cannons, they have now resorted to live firing. I signed a surety bond last evening, but the DIG refused to even entertain it. There is no doubt of their mala fide intent," Khan tweeted.

The stalemate between the police and PTI workers continued infront of residence of Imran Khan in Lahore continued for the second continued day on Tuesday as his supporters tried to prevent the cops from arresting him.

"My house has been under heavy attack since yesterday afternoon. Latest attack by Rangers, pitting the largest pol party against the army. This is what PDM and the enemies of Pakistan want. No lessons learnt from the East Pakistan tragedy," he said.

"Rangers firing straight into unarmed citizens at Zaman Park as if they are attacking an enemy force on the battlefield," Khan tweeted by criticising the police.

Zaman Park conflict continues:

As per reports in Dawn the security forces made multiple attempts to enter Imran’s residence in Lahore's Zaman Park area but they were thwarted by PTI supporters, who reportedly pelted stones at the security personnel.

Police had to resort to firing tear gas shells at the protesters, while enraged PTI supporters set fire to a water tanker of the Lahore Waste Management Authority.

PTI supporters are also reported to have damaged motorcycles and other vehicles in the vicinity, besides ransacking a warden’s office on Mall Road.

At 10:30 am local time, the armoured police vans were again seen moving towards the entrance of Imran’s residence.

PTI workers have engaged the Islamabad police in pitched battles for more than 15 hours now.

The police have suffered around 30 casualties during the clash thus far, while at least 15 PTI men have been detained.

Why is Khan facing arrest?

The police reached the residence of the former PM to arrest him in the Toshakhana case. It is the only case in which his arrest warrants have not been suspended.

What is Toshakhana Case?

The reference, which alleges that Imran had not shared details of the gifts he retained from the Toshakhana (during his time as the prime minister) and proceeds from their reported sales, was filed by lawmakers from the ruling coalition last year. On October 21, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had concluded that the former premier had indeed made “false statements and incorrect declarations” regarding the gifts, reports Dawn News.

The Toshakhana is a department under the Cabinet Division that stores gifts given to rulers and government officials by heads of other governments and foreign dignitaries. According to Toshakhana rules, gifts/presents and other such materials received by persons to whom these rules apply shall be reported to the Cabinet Division, the newspaper reported.

The watchdog’s order had even said that the former Pakistan PM stood disqualified under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution.