Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with Pakistani police outside his residence in Lahore on Tuesday ahead of his arrest.
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In October last year, Imran Khan, 70, was found guilty by the Election Commission of Pakistan of illegally selling gifts to foreign dignitaries.
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Under Pakistani law, Islamabad’s “Doshakhana” – which means “treasure house” in Persian – allows politicians to retain official state gifts by paying a certain percentage of their net worth to the government.
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The cricketer-turned-politician was charged in an anti-corruption court last week. An arrest warrant was issued after Mr Khan evaded summons.
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Pakistani police used water cannons and tear gas to push back hundreds of Mr Khan’s supporters who had gathered outside his home to prevent his arrest on Tuesday. An activist of Mr Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was killed during a clash with police.
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It is the second time in recent weeks that police have been sent from Islamabad to serve an arrest warrant for Mr Khan after he evaded several court summonses.
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As chaos erupted outside his home, Mr Khan posted a video message. “The police have come to arrest me. They think if Imran Khan goes to jail, people will go to sleep. You have to prove that they are wrong, you have to prove that Guam (people) are alive.”
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“You have to fight for your rights, you have to take to the streets, God has given everything to Imran Khan, I am fighting your war, I have fought all my life and will continue to do so. But if something happens to me, they, throw me in jail or kill me, even without Imran Khan you can do it. You have to prove that you can fight. You have to prove that you will never accept this slavery and this rule of one man. Pakistan Zindabad,” he added.
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On Monday, the Lahore police registered a case against Mr Khan in connection with the killing of PTI worker Ali Bilal alias Zille Shah in a road accident. Earlier, the Lahore police had registered an FIR against Mr Khan and 400 others for Shah’s murder.
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This is the 81st FIR against Mr Khan since the PML-N-led federal coalition came to power 11 months ago.
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Khan was ousted from power after losing a no-confidence vote in April last year, which he accused of being part of a US-led coup.
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