The Lahore Police on Friday obtained a warrant to search former PM Imran Khan's Lahore home. The development comes two days after Punjab's interim government gave a 24-hour ultimatum to hand over “30-40 terrorists that have taken refuge" in the PTI chief's home.
The 'terrorists' are among the protesters who attacked military installations and other government buildings after Khan was arrested on May 9. Khan was arrested on the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in relation to the Al-Qadri Trust case. A search in Khan's home could trigger more violence and unrest in Pakistan.
“We have information that there are around 40 terrorists hiding there, so I think we will need some 400 police to search the house," Amir Mir, the information minister of Punjab told Reuters. He however ruled out the arrest of Khan. "We don't have any plans to arrest Imran Khan." Police would search only if Khan permitted them to do, he added, but if not, they would withdraw until the government chalked out the next steps.
Khan, in the meanwhile tweeted, this "unprecedented crackdown and reign of terror" on PTI and its members will not make them bow down before anyone else, except the "Almighty". He has denied sheltering anyone involved in the violent incidents on May 9. Pakistan is currently facing its worst economic crisis, with critical IMF funding needed to avert a balance of payment crisis delayed for months.
