Security forces deployed at former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore are being pulled back, a senior police official has told Al Jazeera.
The officer, who did not want to reveal his name, said the forces are withdrawing in order to allow a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match scheduled in the eastern city later on Wednesday.
“Since the teams have to reach the stadium a few hours before the match and the routes need to be cleared out, the security personnel at Zaman Park have stepped back for a short while,” he said without giving further details.
Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, located roughly 10km (six miles) from Zaman Park, will host a PSL match between Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultan at 7pm on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court has ordered the police to stop the operation to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan till 10am (05:00 GMT) on Thursday.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry seeking to stop the “atrocities” outside Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore.
The Islamabad High Court is also expected to deliver its verdict later on Wednesday on another PTI plea challenging the arrest warrant against Khan.
(Excerpts : Aljazeera)
