Imran says over 70 PTI workers arrested in Islamabad

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Friday stated that more than 70 party workers have been arrested in Islamabad.

This follows Tuesday and Wednesday's events in which hundreds of Imran Khan's supporters armed with batons, iron rods, and sling shots surrounded his Lahore home and fought with security forces attempting to arrest him.

A temporary lull in the standoff occurred when the Lahore High Court ordered police to postpone the operation to arrest the former cricket star.

Earlier today, the LHC granted protective bail to Khan in nine cases while also allowing the police to investigate the FIRs against him and others related to clashes between PTI workers and police at Zaman Park.

"The fascist Imported govt & their handlers continue to target our workers & l[ea]d[e]rship," Imran wrote on his official Twitter handle.

"Today they have arbitrarily arrested more than 70 of our workers in Islamabad. This is condemnable & absolutely unacceptable. They must be released immediately," he added.

The Express Tribune reported earlier that more than 50 people were arrested by the Rawalpindi police as a result of a crackdown against the PTI’s leaders, workers, and supporters to quell the law and order situation.

Read more: LHC grants Imran bail in 9 FIRs, allows police to conduct probe

Legal proceedings against Imran Khan began after he was ousted from office in a parliamentary vote early last year. The 70-year-old politician has been demanding a snap election and holding protests across the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected Khan's demands, saying an election would be held as scheduled later this year. Political infighting comes as the country struggles with an economic crisis, awaiting a bailout package of $1.1 billion from the IMF.

The case before the Islamabad High Court accuses Imran Khan of selling luxury watches and other items that were given to the state during his 2018-2022 term as prime minister.

The Election Commission of Pakistan had found him guilty and barred him from holding public office for one parliamentary term. Imran says he is avoiding the hearings because he fears for his safety.