The political unrest has worsened as Pakistan faces its worst economic crisis in decades.

He has also laid out his own terms for any such operation.

He cites 'information that there are around 40 terrorists hiding there'.

It is not clear if Khan, who denies the charges, will heed the summons.

It is an endorsement of the military, which says that the rioters and their handlers have been identified.

He will face fresh charges alleging he planned the violence that followed his arrest.

Khan has also pledged to return to campaigning on Wednesday for immediate elections.

The court also grants bail to Khan in other pending cases and rules that he cannot be arrested again before Monday.

The 70-year-old has been tangled in a slew of court cases since he was ousted in a no-confidence motion last year and has been pressuring the fragile coalition government which replaced him to hold early elections.

The arrest warrant was issued by a court in Islamabad when Khan failed to appear before it over charges that he unlawfully sold state gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries when he was prime minister from 2018 to 2022.

Khan was routed from office in a no-confidence motion last year and has been pressuring the fragile coalition which replaced him with daily speeches, regular rallies and allegations of corruption.

The election commission of Pakistan had in October found the 70-year-old cricket-hero-turned politician guilty of unlawfully selling gifts from foreign dignitaries.