A court in Pakistan has cancelled the arrest warrants against former prime minister Imran Khan over his alleged involvement in a corruption case, his lawyers said on Saturday, as high-voltage protests unfolded in Lahore between the police officials and his supporters.

The former cricketer-turned-politician has been instructed to ensure his presence at the next hearing in late March by a court in capital city Islamabad after cancelling his arrest warrants and adjourning the session, said Faisal Fareed Chaudhary, a member of Mr Khan’s legal team, reported Al Jazeera.

Mr Khan is facing charges of selling state gifts while he was in power till 2022 and hiding his assets in the continuing case.

“[I] Am grateful to [the] masses that came when I went for my court appearance. Everyone knows [the] ruling cabal of crooks has only one aim, to jail me any which way till elections are over. Already 96 cases on me and am sure after my appearance today I will hit my first century of court cases,” Mr Khan said on Twitter as he made way to Islamabad for court hearing.

Cancellation of arrest warrants will provide the opposition politician a reprieve to travel to Islamabad and face charges in the graft case without being detained, fears of which have sparked dramatic protests in Pakistan this week.

• https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/world/imran-khan-pakistan-arrest-warrant-protests-b2303779.html