Over 100 PTI, JI workers arrested to foil protest

Punjab govt cites security situation for banning gatherings

LAHORE:

Over 100 activists of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) have been arrested during a crackdown by Lahore police.

The opposition parties had announced a protest and sit-in in Islamabad against soaring inflation and an unprecedented rise in the electricity tariff.

Their workers were supposed to leave different cities for the federal capital in groups.

However, the Punjab government on Thursday issued an order of imposition of Section 144 for three days, banning political gatherings.

The home secretary said political gatherings might become soft targets due to the prevailing law and order, and security situation, political gathering may serve as soft targets.

As the PTI and JI workers started moving towards their destination, the police conducted raids.

Heavy contingents of police were deployed at the entry and exit points, as well as chowks of the city.

The police arrested over 100 activists.

They will be detained under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) law for at least a month.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari also stated that the Section 144 had been imposed in the light of concerns regarding terrorism.

She said anyone who violated the law would be dealt with strictly and there would be no tolerance for creating problems for then citizens under the pretense of protests. She added that the party that has been on the streets since 2014 should take a three-day rest at home. She said the political history of the PTI revolved around street politics.