When police showed up outside the residence of the former prime minister Imran Khan to take him into custody for missing his Monday court date on corruption charges, tensions erupted in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.
Police on Tuesday shot tear gas and water cannon as hundreds of supporters of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party gathered outside his apartment. According to police, he would be taken into custody by Tuesday night.
From his home, Khan spoke with Al Jazeera, claiming that the arrest attempt was “absolutely illegal” and politically motivated.
The popularity of my party has “terrified [the administration], and they want to take me out of the election,” he claimed.
The interview, which has been shortened and edited for clarity, can be found here.
Al Jazeera: Why don’t you follow the arrest warrant’s instructions and let the legal system to take its course?
Khan: According to the legislation, I have protected bail until the 18th [of March]. The police have so arrived with an arrest warrant four days earlier, which is completely against the law. Therefore, we are anticipating tomorrow morning when my attorneys will show up in court to contest this arrest warrant.
On Al Jazeera You’ve made a video urging your supporters to participate in the fight for their liberation. Are you not concerned that your call for people to “fight” would lead to conflict?
Khan: “Battle for their freedom” refers to defending their basic rights, which entails holding a nonviolent demonstration in support of your beliefs. Your right to protest is protected by the law of the land and the constitution.
People are protesting for pensions in France. People are protesting in England as a result of inflation and pay increases. Hence, protesting is a democratic activity. Throughout my 26 years in politics, I have never once urged my followers to use violence.
On Al Jazeera Allegations that you purchased state gifts and concealed assets while serving as prime minister are the subject of the arrest warrant. What’s your reaction to that?
Khan: This accusation is completely false. There are 80 cases against me, and over the past three months, a new case has been filed against me every other day. In addition to blasphemy and terrorism, there are cases of murder, sedition, and other offenses.
As there was no protection for my two court appearances, we have urged the Supreme Court to group all the cases together and hold them in a safe location. All we ask is that they group all the cases together since the government has declared that my life is in danger.
Al Jazeera: According to the administration, you will be detained by Tuesday night. What would it mean for your party and the local and federal elections if it occurs?
Khan: I’ve prepared myself mentally. There is a considerable [police] presence outside, as if the “greatest terrorist” in Pakistan were hiding there.
The worst criminals are now serving in government, not because they are concerned about the rule of law, which is why they want to arrest me. They want to take my name out of the running for office because the popularity of my party terrifies them.
They want me out of the picture because all surveys indicate that we would win the future elections. It was because of that that Khan was shot in November, and now that I’m in jail, everything is going according to plan.
Al Jazeera: You claim that the actual criminals are found in Parliament, but you are the only prime minister in Pakistan to have been ousted from office by a no-confidence vote. Why do you think your political career is still going after this?
Khan: Often, when someone loses power, they must prepare for a long period of political wilderness. Governments have been overthrown in the past, but it was always due to corruption cases or really bad economic performance coupled with corruption cases. Corruption or poor economic performance did not result in the overthrow of our government.
The reason there has been such a huge response is because it was deleted through a conspiracy.
