In a surprising turn of events, a search operation conducted by the Punjab Police at the residence of former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan in Zaman Park has yielded no results. The operation, aimed at apprehending alleged “terrorists” hiding at the premises, concluded with the police returning empty-handed, much to the chagrin of Khan’s chief security officer.
The Punjab Police, armed with search warrants, had embarked on an extensive examination of both the entrance and exit points of Khan’s residence. The police authorities, including high-ranking officials, engaged in negotiations with Khan, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, prior to the search operation.
However, to the embarrassment of the authorities, Khan’s chief security officer, Iftikhar Ghuman, revealed that the police returned with nothing substantial. Ghuman sarcastically remarked that the only items they found were “water and biscuits.” He emphasized that the doors of the house were opened in front of journalists, challenging the police to explain their lack of findings.
This incident follows the Punjab government’s earlier claims that a significant number of terrorists were hiding within Khan’s residence. The government had issued an ultimatum, demanding that the PTI party hand over the alleged miscreants. However, no action was taken by the deadline.
In the midst of these developments, Lahore Capital City Police Officer Bilal Saddique Kamyana announced the arrest of six more individuals attempting to flee from Khan’s residence, further adding to the confusion surrounding the situation.
It is important to note that these events transpired against the backdrop of Khan’s recent arrest, which triggered widespread unrest in Pakistan. Violent clashes resulted in casualties, with conflicting reports of the death toll from both the police and Khan’s party. The military vowed to bring the arsonists responsible for attacking civil and military installations to justice.
Imran Khan, the cricketer-turned-politician, was ousted from power last year after a no-confidence vote. He alleged that his removal was part of a larger conspiracy orchestrated by the United States due to his independent foreign policy decisions involving Russia, China, and Afghanistan.
As the search operation at Khan’s residence concluded fruitlessly, questions arise regarding the veracity of the initial claims made by the authorities. The incident adds another layer of complexity to an already tense political climate in Pakistan.