Imran Khan greets supporters after police withdraw from around ex-PM’s home

BBC reported that Pakistan’s main opposition leader Imran Khan has greeted supporters outside his home, hours after there were violent clashes as police tried to arrest him.

He addressed the crowd and took pictures with those gathered near his compound in the city of Lahore. In one video, he can be seen wearing a gas mask. Police fired tear gas shells during clashes throughout the night.

One official told the BBC that the arrest operation had been paused.

Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir said the court-ordered operation to detain the former PM was suspended on Wednesday to allow a cricket tournament to take place nearby, as the stand-off was causing major traffic disruption. He said the operation would likely continue after the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on 19 March.

Officers and paramilitary rangers were seen leaving the Zaman Park suburb where the house is located, with some reportedly abandoning roadblocks and checkpoints.