Protests erupted in different cities after Imran Khan's arrest

The PTI protests turned violent in Lahore, Karachi Peshawar and Rawalpindi as official buildings and vehicles set on fire

Two people have been killed while nearly 60 injured in the violent protests that erupted after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The arrest of former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday in Al-Qadir Trust corruption case triggered violent protests across the country with Punjab and Islamabad administrations imposing Section 144 to maintain the law and order situation.

The protests turned violent in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lower Dir and Faisalabad. The protestors set the police vehicles on fire in different cities. PTI leaders have announced to continue the protests until PTI chairman Imran Khan's release from NAB custody. 

PTI leaders are distancing themselves from the violence and attacks on state buildings.Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse Khan Supporters in Karachi, Lahore, and Faisalabad, while protesters blocked roads in the capital Islamabad, Peshawar, and other cities. 

PTI workers have blocked many roads in different cities and disturbed the flow of the traffic. The PTI workers clashed with police at several places.  

The workers also damaged public property and set police vehicles on fire in Charsadda, Karachi, Lahore, and several other cities after the party called on supporters to "shut down Pakistan" over his arrest. PTI wrote on Twitter: "It’s your time, people of Pakistan. Khan has always stood for you, now it’s time to stand for him."

PTI workers attacked and ransacked the residence of top military official in Lahore. The violent protests also attacked the military check points in Lahore. The protesters also entered into the military building in Rawalpindi.

In a statement, PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said a meeting of the central leadership and members of the emergency committee formed by the party chief has been convened to mull future course of action in view of the arrest.

The future course of action will be announced after assessing the situation, he added.

PTI leaders Saifullah Niazi, Azam Swati, Ijaz Chaudhary, Murad Saeed, Ali Amin, and Qureshi are part of the emergency committee.

Qureshi also condemned the “attack” on the IHC and the alleged torture of the party chief during the arrest. He slammed the law enforcers for taking Khan into custody during biometric verification and storming the court.

The senior party leader said the party would continue to fight a legal and political war with full determination.

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