Pakistan’s main opposition leader Imran Khan has greeted supporters outside his home, hours after there were violent clashes as police tried to arrest him.
He addressed the crowd and took pictures with those gathered near his compound in the city of Lahore.
In one video, he can be seen wearing a gas mask. Police fired tear gas shells during clashes throughout the night.
One official told the BBC that the arrest operation had been paused.
Punjab Interim Information Minister Amir Mir said the court-ordered operation to detain Mr Khan was suspended on Wednesday to allow a cricket tournament to take place nearby, as the stand-off was causing major traffic disruption.
He said the operation would likely continue after the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on 19 March.
No international cricket was played in Pakistan for six years following an attack on the Sri Lanka team by gunmen in 2009. It also took years for international players to return, and the ongoing tournament involves a large security operation.
“We can’t afford to risk the security and safety of the PSL,” a senior police official told the Reuters news agency.
Later on Wednesday, the Lahore High Court ordered police to postpone the arrest of Mr Khan until Thursday, pending the result of a hearing on the legitimacy of the arrest warrant.
Officers and paramilitary rangers were seen leaving the Zaman Park suburb where the house is located, with some reportedly abandoning roadblocks and checkpoints.
Mr Khan then appeared outside and spoke to his supporters. “The police and rangers sent to harm Imran Khan were pushed back by the people,” his PTI party Twitter account posted.
The 70-year-old, who was ousted as prime minister last April, is facing allegations he sold state gifts while in office. He says the case is politically motivated. (BBC)
