Political Turmoil in Pakistan: Arrests of Khan's Party Members Spark Protests

Pakistani police have arrested several lawmakers from ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan's party following a rally demanding his release. The detentions have added to the political chaos since Khan's ousting in 2022. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party has announced nationwide protests, accusing the ruling coalition of manipulating elections.

In a significant escalation of political tensions, Pakistani police arrested numerous lawmakers and leaders from former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party in a series of midnight raids. The move came a day after the party's rally in the capital demanding Khan's release from jail, where he has been held for over a year following his ousting in 2022.

A police spokesman confirmed the detention of four individuals but provided no details on the charges. According to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, nearly a dozen of its parliamentarians were detained in Islamabad, with some taking refuge in parliament to avoid arrest. PTI legislators condemned the arrests in a National Assembly session, calling for legal action against the alleged illegal entry of law enforcement into the parliamentary premises.

The detentions have ignited political unrest, with PTI leaders declaring nationwide protests for Friday. They argue that fresh elections are the only solution, accusing the ruling coalition of manipulating previous polls to exclude Khan from power—an allegation denied by the Pakistan Election Commission.

(With inputs from agencies.)