ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan said on Wednesday that he would not seek bail from the anti-terrorism court which earlier in the day issued his arrest warrants for attacking the Parliament House and the PTV building on Sept 1.

Addressing the participants of his party’s sit-in at D Chowk, the PTI chief challenged the government to arrest him.

“I have just heard the good news about my arrest warrant. I want to make it clear that I was sleeping in the container on that day,” he said.

Know more: ATC issues non-bailable arrest warrants for Imran, Qadri

Mr Khan said the government had issued his arrest warrant because Mian Sahib was feeling threatened by the PTI’s plan to hold a public gathering in Islamabad on Nov 30.

He said if he was arrested the public gathering would be the largest in the history of the country in his absence.

“It will be very easy for me to stay in jail because I have already been residing in a container for over three months, but I tell you, Mr Nawaz Sharif, that you will have to pay a heavy price for my arrest.”

Imran Khan said an investigation could prove that it was a fixed match and the insiders had played an important role in carrying out the attack on the PTV building.

He said PTI workers were not involved in the attack. “I myself had asked my supporters to stay away from the PTV premises.”

The PTI chief was ecstatic after learning about the resignation of Maryam Nawaz as chairperson of the youth loan programme.

“I congratulate my workers that the change has come because I have just heard that Maryam Nawaz has resigned as chairperson of the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Programme,” he said.

Imran Khan opposed the appointment of Marvi Memon as Maryam’s replacement, asking the authorities to advertise the post.

Published in Dawn, November 13th , 2014