JAKARTA - Police in Pakistan have been ordered by a high court judge to postpone the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan until Friday, his aide said.
The Lahore High Court asked authorities to sit down with Khan and his party leaders to "resolution this issue through joint consultation", said former Minister of Information and Law Fawad Chaudry, who is also Khan's close adviser, reported The National News March 16.
This follows a similar suspension on Wednesday night, after police clashed with Khan's supporters.
The order ended an approximately 24-hour siege around Khan's home, where police have been stationed several times.
Imran Khan's arrest was ordered after he did not attend a court hearing in connection with the corruption charges against him.
Zafar Judge Iqbal said he was willing to stop police operations if Khan turned himself in to court.
"This problem can be resolved in an instant... where is Imran Khan?" he said in a hearing on Thursday as reported by Dawn News.
The judge also alluded to the cost of police operations, saying the arrest warrant spent "millions of rupees".
"This is public money. You could have held a peaceful protest," he said.
Earlier, clashes took place earlier this week between police and supporters of Pakistan's Tereek-e-Insaf Party, who have been camping outside his home in recent months to protest against his arrest attempts.
Police fired tear gas and water cannons, local media reported, while Khan's supporters brandished sticks and threw stones.
Khan has faced a series of legal challenges since being ousted in a vote of distrust in April last year.
The court in September overturned the terrorism charges filed against him after he allegedly threatened police and court officials.
He also faces corruption charges, after being accused of selling state gifts while in power.
Details of the allegations were released on Sunday, with local media reporting that Khan sold several high-value items, including six Rolex watches.
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