Pakistani police have detained several lawmakers from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which is led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The detentions follow a major rally held in Islamabad advocating for Khan's release from prison.
According to PTI, 13 of its members were detained, including party chairman Gohar Khan and senior leaders Shoaib Shaheen and Sher Afzal Marwat. However, police reports confirm only four detentions. Video footage shows police arresting lawmakers outside the parliament, an action condemned by PTI opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan as “despicable.”
The rally, held on the outskirts of Islamabad, turned violent when clashes erupted between PTI supporters and police. PTI claims that the confrontation began after police deployed teargas to disperse the peaceful assembly, leading to injuries among demonstrators and a senior police official.
Imran Khan, who has been in jail for over a year following his ouster in 2022, remains a polarizing figure in Pakistani politics. Although PTI won the most seats in the February general election, it failed to secure a majority, allowing the current coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to form a ruling alliance.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused PTI leaders of inciting violence and attempting to free Khan forcibly. The police have yet to issue a detailed statement on the reasons behind the detentions or any formal charges.
According to PTI, 13 of its members were detained, including party chairman Gohar Khan and senior leaders Shoaib Shaheen and Sher Afzal Marwat. However, police reports confirm only four detentions. Video footage shows police arresting lawmakers outside the parliament, an action condemned by PTI opposition leader Omar Ayub Khan as “despicable.”
The rally, held on the outskirts of Islamabad, turned violent when clashes erupted between PTI supporters and police. PTI claims that the confrontation began after police deployed teargas to disperse the peaceful assembly, leading to injuries among demonstrators and a senior police official.
Imran Khan, who has been in jail for over a year following his ouster in 2022, remains a polarizing figure in Pakistani politics. Although PTI won the most seats in the February general election, it failed to secure a majority, allowing the current coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to form a ruling alliance.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar accused PTI leaders of inciting violence and attempting to free Khan forcibly. The police have yet to issue a detailed statement on the reasons behind the detentions or any formal charges.
