Over 500 Imran Khan supporters arrested amid protests demanding his release

Police detain an Imran Khan supporter during a protest in Lahore on Tuesday. PIC/AFP

Jailed former prime minister Imran Khan's party on Tuesday claimed that hundreds of its workers and supporters who took to the streets, demanding the release of the party founder, were arrested by police in Pakistan's Punjab province.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters began their nationwide campaign demanding the release of Khan, who completed two years in jail on August 5. Khan, 72, was arrested on August 5, 2023, after being convicted in a corruption case.

He has been incarcerated since his arrest due to conviction in other cases, and is currently being held at the Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi. According to Khan's party, most arrests were made in Lahore as Khan's supporters came out on the roads in large numbers to protest against the "fascist regime".

The police action was condemned on social media for dragging even elderly supporters of the PTI during the protest rallies. "Over 500 PTI leaders and workers have been arrested so far in Punjab alone, mostly from Lahore, including several lawmakers," senior party leader Zulfi Bokhari said.

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