Over 350 PTI workers arrested as police crack down on protests for Imran Khan's release
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More than 350 PTI workers were arrested on Friday morning as police continued their crackdown following calls for countrywide protests demanding the release of Imran Khan after the Jumma prayers today.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the arrests targeted only the PTI workers who were inciting citizens to participate in the protests.
Lahore police had released a list of over 1,600 active PTI workers, and more than 350 of them were detained during raids in Lahore as their names were included in different FIRs registered in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and other districts.
Meanwhile, containers were placed on Murree Road from Liaquat Bagh to Faizabad, blocking various routes leading to the area of Rawalpindi city.
Police sources confirmed that heavy contingents of officers were deployed at Murree Road, Liaquat Bagh, and Shamsabad, as well as at the entry and exit points of the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, where Section 144 has been enforced.
Sources also reported that, on the district administration's orders, the Metrobus service in the twin cities remained suspended, with the service from Rawalpindi Saddar Station to Pak Secretariat completely halted.
On the other hand, PTI announced that they would hold a protest at Liberty Chowk, Lahore, at 2 pm after Friday prayers.
In response, heavy police and Dolphin Force units were stationed at Liberty Roundabout to maintain law and order.
Reporters: Abid Chaudhry, Irshad Qureshi, and Usman Khadim Kamboh