Police have arrested dozens of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists during protests in Lahore.
Demonstrators gathered at key locations, including GPO Chowk and Minar-e-Pakistan, in response to party leader Imran Khan’s call for nationwide protests.
The arrests come as authorities ramp up efforts to maintain law and order, with Rangers also deployed across the city to contain the unrest.
The protests, which began in Islamabad, have now spread to Lahore, where PTI workers gathered at GPO Chowk and Minar-e-Pakistan in defiance of government restrictions.
Police responded by launching a crackdown, resulting in the arrests of several party members, including a woman who managed to bypass security and hoist the PTI flag on Minar-e-Pakistan Bridge.
With major entry and exit routes into Lahore now blocked, residents are facing severe disruptions. Traffic jams and road closures have compounded the difficulties faced by citizens trying to navigate the city amidst the unrest.
The Provincial Home Department reiterated that the deployment of both the Rangers and the army is aimed at safeguarding peace, with a special focus on securing sensitive installations and ensuring the safety of foreign delegates during the high-profile SCO summit.
"The army and Rangers have been called in to restore calm and provide security to key locations across the city," said a senior Home Department official. "They will be authorized to detain individuals who pose a threat to public safety."
