Pakistani police siege of opposition leader's home postponed over sports match

Protesters and police clash outside the home of PTI chairman and former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, whom police tried to arrest and force to appear in court to face allegations that he sold gifts he received while in office. (Reuters)

Pakistani police called off a two-day operation to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan after violent clashes delayed them and a court ordered a halt so that a cricket match could start. 

"We can't afford to risk the security and safety of the Pakistan Super League (PSL)," a senior police official told the Reuters news agency, clarifying that the operation would resume following the completion of the cricket tournament.

The Lahore High Court also ordered police to pause the operation pending the result of a hearing on the legitimacy of the arrest warrant after police and 70-year-old Khan’s supporters clashed outside his home, the BBC reported.

Supporters of Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), protested against Khan’s arrest, which the former prime minister insisted was unnecessary since he had agreed to show up in court on Mar. 18, but police refused to accept the signed surety bond and tried to arrest him anyway.

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A lower court had issued a warrant for his arrest for defying orders to present himself over charges that he unlawfully sold state gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries during his time in office.

Supporters of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan block a road near Khan's residence to prevent officers from arresting him in Lahore, Pakistan, on March 15, 2023. (Aamir Qureshi / AFP via Getty Images)

The gifts included seven watches, with one