LAHORE, Pakistan – Police launched a sweeping crackdown across Punjab as Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) observed two years since the arrest of its founder, Imran Khan, triggering mass protests and political tensions.
According to PTI sources, hundreds of workers and multiple lawmakers were detained overnight in Lahore and other cities. Raids were carried out at the homes of party activists and senior leaders. Those arrested reportedly include MPAs Moin Qureshi, Farrukh Javed Moon, Shoaib Amir, Nadeem Sadiq Dogar, Khawaja Salahuddin, Aminullah Khan, and Iqbal Khattak.
The protest, spearheaded by PTI under the Tehreek Tahafuz Aaeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) movement, was planned in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and other cities to demand Khan’s release. Authorities responded by invoking Section 144, banning public gatherings in sensitive areas.
PTI’s Punjab media cell head, Shayan Bashir, accused the police of political victimisation, claiming over 200 raids took place in Lahore alone. He added that the crackdown extended to families and associates of party members, violating civil liberties.
Despite heavy deployment of law enforcement, PTI vowed to continue peaceful demonstrations, denouncing what it termed an “authoritarian attempt” to silence political dissent.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.