Islamabad (CNN) Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed Tuesday with police intent on arresting him outside his home, although the longtime politician told CNN he was “mentally prepared to spend the night in a cell.”
“I want a proper warrant and I want to see that, my lawyers want to see the warrant,” he told CNN. He also said he believed his arrest was both inevitable and politically motivated, citing the upcoming April by-election and October general election.
“It’s a matter of time. I’m convinced that they will come and arrest me, I’m prepared for that,” he said, adding: “I know the intention. They want to take me out of the race.” They want to take me out of the game so they can win the election.”
Khan faces allegations of illegally buying and selling gifts from foreign dignitaries during his tenure, which he denies as “biased”.
On Monday, the Islamabad High Court issued an arrest warrant for Khan on the case, with a view to appearing in court on March 18.
“By order of the court, the person who ran away from the court will be arrested and detained and brought before him,” Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah tweeted on Tuesday.
However, Khan’s lawyers have argued that he previously failed to appear in court because he cannot leave his Lahore residence for security reasons. According to his legal department, he can only appear via video link.
In his interview with CNN, the former leader warned that attempts to arrest him could lead to a dangerous escalation of political violence in the country and that he believed Pakistan’s ruling coalition could use “this pretext of violence” to end the upcoming referendum to delay.
In a statement to CNN, the country’s information minister denied any political involvement in the case. “The government has nothing to do with the arrest (of Khan) and the arrest has nothing to do with elections. The police are only following the orders of the court,” said Marriyum Aurangzeb.
“Instead of cooperating with law enforcement officials, Imran Khan breaks the law, defies court orders and uses his party staff as human shields to avoid arrest and foment unrest,” she added.
Imran Khan, Pakistan’s former Prime Minister is pictured in Lahore, Pakistan on Tuesday January 24, 2023.
Protests have erupted in major cities across Pakistan in support of Khan, who posted a video on social media urging his supporters to support his movement if he is jailed.
Local media and footage shared by officials from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party showed water cannons and tear gas being used by police against Khan’s supporters.
Islamabad police tweeted that four police officers were injured after being hit with stones by Khan supporters.
“I’m prepared”
Khan was ousted as prime minister in April by a vote of no confidence. He has since led a popular campaign against the current government, accusing it of colluding with the military to remove him from office.
“[The government]they are petrified that when I come to power I will hold them accountable,” he told CNN on Tuesday.
“They also know that even if I go to jail, we’re going to swing the election no matter what they do,” he added.
Khan was arrested only once in 2007 by then-president and military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who died earlier this year.
The current political upheaval comes as the Pakistani government awaits a belated International Monetary Fund bailout that will help with the country’s cost-of-living crisis and ailing economy.