Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the "establishment" of planning his arrest, claiming that it's all part of a 'London plan', in a veiled attack against his political foe Nawaz Sharif who has been stationed in London since November 2019. The comments came as tensions skyrocketed in Lahore in the early hours of Wednesday despite Khan's claim that he will appear before the Lahore High Court on March 18.

Khan’s court appearance claim is being seen by the critics as his tactic to evade arrest, as evidence continues to mount against him in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-decoding-pakistans-toshakhana-gifts-controversy-473082">Toshakhana case</a>,&nbsp;an alleged corruption scandal during former Pakistan Prime Minister’s time in office.

In Pakistan, 'the establishment' is referred to the military-intelligence nexus which — despite the South Asian nation's semblance of democracy — is widely perceived to be running the country's state of affairs almost since its inception in 1947. Since being ousted from power after a no-confidence-vote last April, Khan has often referred to the 'establishment' as the forceful power bent to keep him away from Islamabad's corridors of power.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas | Toshakhana case: Imran Khan faces imminent arrest

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Imran Khan said in a video message that to prevent any untoward event during his political procession in Lahore, he had given a lawful undertaking that he will appear before the Lahore High Court on March 18. Despite that, the Deputy Inspector General was coming to arrest him on Wednesday, Khan claimed.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/toshakhana-case-police-pti-workers-clash-outside-ex-pm-imran-khans-house-ahead-of-possible-arrest-571996">Toshakhana case: Police, PTI workers clash outside ex-PM Imran Khan’s house ahead of possible arrest</a>

The protests broke out in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi after Imran Khan called on his supporters on Wednesday to "come out" following police's use of force on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in Lahore's Zaman Park. Khan later said that he was mentally prepared to get arrested.&nbsp;

"I am mentally prepared because there's a huge force outside. They have not just the police, they have got rangers there too, which is the army. And it seems as if Pakistan's biggest terrorist is holed up inside," Imran Khan said.

Khan remains the most popular leader in Pakistan, with as many as 61 per cent of the Pakistanis saying in a Gallup survey that they have a 'positive impression' of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.&nbsp;

"They are petrified of the popularity of my party and so they want to remove me from the electoral contest," Imran Khan said, adding, "according to all opinion polls, we would sweep this upcoming election and that's why they want me removed from the scene."

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Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the "establishment" of planning his arrest, claiming that it's all part of a 'London plan', in a veiled attack against his political foe Nawaz Sharif who has been stationed in London since November 2019.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan accused the "establishment" of planning his arrest, claiming that it's all part of a 'London plan', in a veiled attack against his political foe Nawaz Sharif who has been stationed in London since November 2019. The comments came as tensions skyrocketed in Lahore in the early hours of Wednesday despite Khan's claim that he will appear before the Lahore High Court on March 18. Khan’s court appearance claim is being seen by the critics as his tactic to evade arrest, as evidence continues to mount against him in the Toshakhana case, an alleged corruption scandal during former Pakistan Prime Minister’s time in office. In Pakistan, 'the establishment' is referred to the military-intelligence nexus which — despite the South Asian nation's semblance of democracy — is widely perceived to be running the country's state of affairs almost since its inception in 1947. Since being ousted from power after a no-confidence-vote last April, Khan has often referred to the 'establishment' as the forceful power bent to keep him away from Islamabad's corridors of power. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas | Toshakhana case: Imran Khan faces imminent arrest × Imran Khan said in a video message that to prevent any untoward event during his political procession in Lahore, he had given a lawful undertaking that he will appear before the Lahore High Court on March 18. Despite that, the Deputy Inspector General was coming to arrest him on Wednesday, Khan claimed. ALSO READ | Toshakhana case: Police, PTI workers clash outside ex-PM Imran Khan’s house ahead of possible arrest The protests broke out in Islamabad, Peshawar, and Karachi after Imran Khan called on his supporters on Wednesday to "come out" following police's use of force on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers in Lahore's Zaman Park. Khan later said that he was mentally prepared to get arrested. "I am mentally prepared because there's a huge force outside. They have not just the police, they have got rangers there too, which is the army. And it seems as if Pakistan's biggest terrorist is holed up inside," Imran Khan said. Khan remains the most popular leader in Pakistan, with as many as 61 per cent of the Pakistanis saying in a Gallup survey that they have a 'positive impression' of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan. "They are petrified of the popularity of my party and so they want to remove me from the electoral contest," Imran Khan said, adding, "according to all opinion polls, we would sweep this upcoming election and that's why they want me removed from the scene." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Imran Khan flags 'London plan' in veiled attack against Nawaz Sharif

A high court official has asked Pakistan's foreign secretary on Thursday to produce former prime minister Nawaz Sharif before the court on September 22.&nbsp;

Sharif, who was serving a seven-year sentence in a corruption case, is in London, UK since November last year after the Lahore High Court gave him the permission to go abroad for treatment as his health declined.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/non-bailable-warrant-issued-by-pakistan-court-against-nawaz-sharif-327857">Non-bailable warrant issued by Pakistan court against Nawaz Sharif</a>

The 70-year-old was given eight weeks to return to Pakistan, but health complications made his visit longer, as per his lawyer.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/now-key-members-of-nawaz-sharifs-family-face-legal-heat-326362">Now, key members of Nawaz Sharif's family face legal heat</a>

On Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against the ex-PM for failing to appear before the court as was directed.&nbsp;

The HC's assistant registrar wrote a letter to foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood, ordering "the production of appellant (Sharif) through the High Commission of Pakistan in the United Kingdom" on September 22 by 11 am.

Pakistan-based Dawn reported on Friday that High Commission in London has received arrest warrants sent by the Pakistan government against Sharif.&nbsp;

Sharif was sentenced to seven years in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case in December 2018 and a two-judge bench was hearing his appeal on the conviction.&nbsp;

He, along with his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar was earlier also convicted in the Avenfield properties case in July 2018.&nbsp;

 
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A high court official has asked Pakistan's foreign secretary on Thursday to produce former prime minister Nawaz Sharif before the court on September 22. Sharif, who was serving a seven-year sentence in a corruption case, is in London, UK since November last year after the Lahore High Court gave him the permission to go abroad for treatment as his health declined.

A high court official has asked Pakistan's foreign secretary on Thursday to produce former prime minister Nawaz Sharif before the court on September 22. Sharif, who was serving a seven-year sentence in a corruption case, is in London, UK since November last year after the Lahore High Court gave him the permission to go abroad for treatment as his health declined. Also read | Non-bailable warrant issued by Pakistan court against Nawaz Sharif The 70-year-old was given eight weeks to return to Pakistan, but health complications made his visit longer, as per his lawyer. Also read | Now, key members of Nawaz Sharif's family face legal heat On Tuesday, the Islamabad High Court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against the ex-PM for failing to appear before the court as was directed. The HC's assistant registrar wrote a letter to foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood, ordering "the production of appellant (Sharif) through the High Commission of Pakistan in the United Kingdom" on September 22 by 11 am. Pakistan-based Dawn reported on Friday that High Commission in London has received arrest warrants sent by the Pakistan government against Sharif. Sharif was sentenced to seven years in the Al-Azizia Steel Mills case in December 2018 and a two-judge bench was hearing his appeal on the conviction. He, along with his daughter Maryam and son-in-law Muhammad Safdar was earlier also convicted in the Avenfield properties case in July 2018.

Produce Nawaz Sharif on Sept 22: Top court official to Pakistan foreign secretary

Clearly, Pakistan PM Imran Khan has his priorities right. Amidst Pakistan's economic troubles and rising prices of essential commodities, ministers in Imran Khan's government are busy ridiculed former PM Nawaz Sharif. The reason? A photo of Sharif at a London restaurant. Palki Sharma with the details.

Gravitas: Controversy over a photograph of Nawaz Sharif in London restaurant