Lawmakers arrested as Khan’s party launches anti-government protests in Pakistan

Police in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore detained at least seven provincial lawmakers and dozens of workers from Pakistan’s largest opposition party on Tuesday, as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) launched a nationwide protest demanding the release of its jailed founder, Imran Khan.

Another party lawmaker, Rehana Dar, was arrested for leading a rally in Sialkot.

The arrests came amid a broader police crackdown targeting PTI leaders and supporters ahead of the August 5 demonstrations, which mark two years since Khan was imprisoned in a corruption case.

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According to PTI officials, seven members of the Punjab Assembly, including Iqbal Khattak, Farrukh Javed Moon, Amin Ullah Khan, Shoaib Amir Awan, and Khan Salahuddin, were transferred to Lahore’s Green Town Police Station. PTI leader Sardar Nadeem Sadiq Dogar was also taken into custody.

PTI claims police beat some lawmakers, broke vehicle windows, and tore their clothes during the arrests.

“This is state violence. Our lawmakers were physically assaulted,” said Farukh Javed Moon.

PTI’s legal wing has deployed three teams to pursue bail and legal relief for the arrested lawmakers and activists. Party's lawyers have been stationed at Model Town, District Kacheri, and Cantt Kacheri courts, according to Insaf Lawyers Forum Lahore President Malik Shujat Jandran.

PTI leaders urge NA speaker to shield them from arrest

Meanwhile, several party leaders - including Shandana Gulzar, Salman Akram Raja, Nasir Jutt, Ali Muhammad Khan, Shafqat Awan, and Amir Dogar - met National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq in his chamber.

The leaders requested protection ahead of their planned visit to Adiala Jail to meet party founder Khan, asking the speaker to ensure that no lawmakers are arrested outside the facility. They urged him to issue production orders in case any of them are detained.

However, Speaker Sadiq reportedly declined the request, citing the prevailing law and order situation. According to sources, senior police officials were also present during the meeting.

In a parallel development, security forces and police sealed the gates of parliament to prevent opposition lawmakers from heading to Adiala Jail. However, before the lockdown, Salman Akram Raja, MNAs Latif Khosa and Akhunzada Hussain Yousafzai, and PKMAP Chairman Mehmood Khan Achakzai had already left for the jail.

Following the closure, some parliamentarians began exiting through the Cabinet Secretariat gate instead.

Later, Tehreek Tahafuz-e-Aain Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai was stopped by police en route to Adiala Jail. His convoy has been held up for over 30 minutes, according to a party spokesperson. Achakzai is accompanied by Raja, Khosa, and Gulzar. Despite repeated requests, police have refused to let them proceed.

‘Start of a new movement’

The party had announced the August 5 protest as the start of a new movement to “oust the fake and imposed government” and push for Khan’s release. Party insiders say the protest is not a one-off event but part of a long-term campaign.

Police officers lead a detained supporter of Pakistan's former premier Imran Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), during a nationwide protest demanding Khan's release on the second anniversary of his arrest, in Lahore, Pakistan, August 5, 2025.Reuters

In anticipation, police placed shipping containers near Liberty Roundabout in Lahore, among other places.

Party sources said lawmakers and ticket holders had gathered in Lahore overnight to participate in joint demonstrations, while PTI supporters in DHA Rahbar staged their own rally.

The crackdown extended across Lahore, with raids reported at the homes of PTI leaders and workers. Police registered a case in Gujjarpura under charges of sedition and obstructing state operations. At least 10 workers were arrested there for chanting slogans against the government and allegedly attacking police when asked to disperse.

400 PTI activists arrested

Police sources said more than 400 PTI activists have been arrested across Lahore in the past 48 hours, most of whom were involved in organizing or facilitating the August 5 protests.

The crackdown is being led by divisional SPs, according to police sources, with at least 15 cases registered against PTI workers and leaders in multiple precincts, including North Cantt, Liaqatabad, Gujjarpura, Qila Gujjar Singh, Muslim Town, Lower Mall, Shafiqabad, Sabzazar, Nawan Kot, and Samanabad.

Hundreds of unidentified PTI supporters have also been named in police reports, sources said.

Meanwhile, senior PTI leader Asad Qaiser said all provincial chapters had been instructed to organize rallies and awareness drives.

“We have decided to involve all segments of society,” Qaiser said. “This is a long struggle, and we will not back down until this government is sent home.”

Demonstrations were also reported in Rawalpindi, where supporters gathered outside Adiala Jail.

Rallies are also expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with rallies in Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Malakand, and Charsadda led by senior leaders, including Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and MNAs Shandana Gulzar and Samiullah.

The government has, however, dismissed the protests as a desperate attempt to regain lost political ground. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari accused the PTI of promoting “chaos and fascism,” arguing the protest was timed to disrupt national unity on Kashmir Solidarity Day.

“This is not a political movement — it is an attempt to weaken state institutions,” Bokhari said. She also mocked PTI’s calls for “real freedom,” calling them contradictory and opportunistic.