Mobile signals have been blocked in the area of Lahore where Khan’s house is located.
Haider Rasul Mirza, a criminal law expert and lawyer based in Lahore, told Al Jazeera that once a warrant is issued by a court, appearance is mandatory.
“When such a warrant is issued and served, the person has to appear before the court,” he said. “When they do appear, they can try and seek exemption from future appearances but after issuance of warrants, attendance is mandatory.”
Mirza said it was odd that the police were trying to arrest Khan before the warrant’s deadline on Saturday.
“If the deadline is March 18, why are they eager to arrest him on March 13 or 14?” he asked. “However, it also does not mean the authorities cannot arrest him earlier. A warrant has been issued and is available for police to execute.”
Mirza said the only way to avoid appearing in court is to have the warrant suspended by a higher court, and the PTI has already filed an appeal.
“This warrant is not for any offence, but only to ensure appearance before the court,” Mirza said. “Once he appears, the warrant will be considered executed as the process will be fulfilled.”
A number of police officials and PTI supporters have been injured in Lahore. ALJAZEERA
Police fired teargas at Khan’s house while also charging his supporters with batons. Police lobbed teargas shells as the former prime minister’s supporters hurled rocks and bricks at the officers.
Pro-Khan protests erupt in other cities in Pakistan
Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said that in addition to scuffles between police and Khan’s supporters in Lahore, protests are now taking place in other parts of Pakistan.
“Khan’s residence has now been taken under siege,” Hyder said. “In Karachi, there have been protests at several locations. There is a likelihood that this could go well beyond Lahore and affect other cities where Khan has huge support.”
Abid Hussain, Al Jazeera’s digital correspondent in Pakistan, said videos on social media show PTI workers gathering in the northern city of Peshawar too.
