Police in Pakistan Opposition leader’s residence searched today Imra Khan as the former prime minister headed to court for a hearing after dodging arrest for a week amid clashes between his supporters and numerous police forces.

At least 65 Khan supporters were arrested and the police seized the weapons after their forces broke into his house in Lahore.said Usman Anwar, chief of police in Pakistan’s central Punjab province.

By order of the court, the police searched his house, where Khan had taken refuge in order to avoid arrest. His supporters have been gathering near his house for several days.

Punjab Information Minister Amir Mir said police have arrest warrants issued by the local anti-terrorism court.

Khan was not at his residence when the police carried out the search, as he was already on his way to the capital, Islamabad.

Pakistani officials cordoned off parts of Islamabad and deployed thousands of police ahead of the hearings.

Residents living near the capital’s court building were asked not to leave their homes until political gatherings were banned and vehicles were checked before entering the city.

“We have stepped up security measures to make sure his life is not in danger,” Islamabad police chief Akbar Nasir said ahead of the hearing.

Khan, who was removed as prime minister last year on impeachment charges, accused of corruption including for stealing expensive gifts from third countries.

Last month, an Islamabad court issued a warrant against him after several weeks of detention at his home.

His supporters outside threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at police, injuring more than 100 when the latter tried to arrest the former prime minister earlier in the week.

Source: APE-MPE-dpa-Reuters

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