LAHORE, PAKISTAN – The Pakistani Army has sealed all roads leading to the residence of Imran Khan, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI). The move comes after Pakistan’s caretaker information minister, Amir Mir, reported that 30 to 40 terrorists who attacked military installations on May 9 are hiding at Khan’s Lahore home. An ultimatum has been given to Khan to surrender the alleged terrorists “or face stern action.”
Khan has denied these allegations and requested that his residence be searched for terrorists via lawful process. In response, the roads leading to his residence were blocked and a heavy police presence has been set up in the area.
The situation has escalated tensions between the Pakistani government and opposition parties, with fears of disintegration growing. Khan has claimed that Pakistan is heading towards an “imminent disaster” and that the ruling coalition is plotting to set the army against him ahead of a planned appearance before the National Accountability Bureau.
The Pakistan government has accused Khan of providing “protection” to terrorists in his Lahore home. A senior police officer has stated that between “30 and 40 terrorists” are believed to be hiding in Zaman Park and urged Khan to hand them over before “stern action” is taken.
The situation has prompted Bilawal Bhutto, chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party, to call for a Central Executive Committee meeting to discuss the political situation. Reports suggest that Pakistani police may launch a security operation today to arrest the “terrorists” allegedly holed up in Khan’s Zaman Park residence after the provincial government’s 24-hour deadline for their surrender expired.
Last week, violent protests erupted following the arrest of Khan, resulting in the deaths of ten people. The PTI claims that 40 of its workers were killed in the firing of security personnel.
Khan has spoken to the nation, claiming that if an East Pakistan-like situation is to be avoided, the government needs to search his house in a lawful manner by obtaining a search warrant. He has also warned the government not to use this as an excuse “to launch a crackdown on the country’s largest political party, the PTI.”
The Pakistani Army’s sealing of the roads to Khan’s residence has prompted concern internationally about the validity of the government’s claims and the potential for human rights abuses in the ongoing political conflict.
As the situation in Lahore remains tense, the world watches and waits to see what actions the Pakistani government will take next.
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