The Lahore High Court in Pakistan has ordered the police to delay their operation to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan until Friday. This has diffused the surge in violence that had occurred between Khan’s supporters and security forces. Dozens of Khan’s supporters had barricaded his home to prevent security forces from arresting him over a case in which he is charged with illegally selling state gifts given to him while he was prime minister. The court-ordered attempt to arrest Khan triggered clashes between his supporters and security forces in his Lahore neighbourhood. The violence subsided after the high court halted the police operation on Wednesday. The court has also ordered Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to not hold its planned election rally in Lahore on Sunday, when the final match of the continuing Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 cricket tournament will be played in the city. The situation in Lahore’s Zaman Park neighbourhood was calm on Thursday, with PTI workers gathered outside Khan’s residence, some of them carrying batons. The road leading to Khan’s residence was blocked by large containers as PTI workers guarded its entrance. Internet and mobile phone connectivity, which had been affected for two days, were restored.
