Pakistan Police Arrest 120 Opposition Activists Ahead of Protest

Pakistan Police Arrest 120 Opposition Activists Ahead of Protest
———————–
Pakistani police arrested 120 activists from the opposition party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) overnight ahead of planned protests marking the second anniversary of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s imprisonment, Arab News reported. Most arrests occurred in Lahore, Punjab’s capital and the country’s most populous and politically significant province. PTI spokesperson Zulfikar Bukhari reported at least 200 arrests in Lahore but confirmed the protests would proceed.

The Punjab government criticized PTI, with spokesperson Uzma Bukhari labeling it a “terrorist organization disguised as a political party” disrupting peace. Police stated they deployed large contingents to maintain security across major cities.

Imran Khan, ousted in 2022 after falling out with the military, denies all charges against him, which include corruption and terrorism. His arrest in 2023 triggered nationwide protests and a crackdown on PTI. Despite winning the most seats in the 2024 election, PTI alleges rigging, while the current government under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denies electoral fraud.