PTI Stages Protest in Lahore on Third Anniversary of Imran Khan’s Arrest; Dozens Detained
LAHORE: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged protests and rallies across Lahore on the third anniversary of party founder Imran Khan’s arrest, as police launched a crackdown and detained several party leaders, lawmakers, and workers at different locations.
According to reports, tensions escalated around the Lahore High Court and the Aiwan-e-Adl area, where police and PTI supporters confronted each other during the demonstrations.
ایوان عدل کے باہر سلمان اکرم راجہ کو گرفتار کرنے کی کوشش وکلاء نے ناکام بنا دی pic.twitter.com/cXZ6O1GeEJ
— Shakir Mehmood Awan (@ShakirAwan88) August 5, 2026
Police reportedly attempted to arrest PTI leader Salman Akram Raja outside Aiwan-e-Adl, but lawyers intervened and prevented officers from taking him into custody. However, police continued detaining PTI workers and lawyers gathered at the site.
Among those reportedly arrested was Punjab Assembly member Umar Waraich, along with several other PTI activists. Reports also said that MNA Mubeen Arif Jutt, MPA Ahmar Rashid Bhatti, and MPA Owais Waraich were present during the protest and were taken into custody.
مبین عارف جٹ ایم این اے
احمر رشید بھٹی ایم پی اے
اویس ورک ایم پی اے سمیت تحریک انصاف کے 20 سے زائد ورکرز کو اب تک لاہور سے گرفتار کیا جا چکا ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/LbrCWLfQ6m— Muhammad Umair (@MohUmair87) August 5, 2026
Overall, more than 20 PTI workers were reportedly detained from various locations across Lahore during the police operation.
A journalist also became caught up in the crackdown. Aaj TV court reporter Natiq Rehan was reportedly taken into custody after police carried out a baton charge, with claims that multiple officers assaulted him during the operation.
Meanwhile, the Insaf Youth Wing organized a separate rally on Canal Road in support of Imran Khan’s release. The rally was led by Barrister Mian Hassan Shakeel, President of Insaf Youth Wing Central Punjab, and Dabeer-ul-Hassan Shah, the organization’s General Secretary, with participation from party workers representing several districts of Central Punjab.
نہتے صحافی پر لاہور کے پولیس اہلکاروں کا تشدد،، وزیر اعلی پنجاب دیکھیں ان کے ماتحت پولیس کیا کررہی ہے pic.twitter.com/SqDkEZ8H0O
— Muhammad Ashfaq (@m__ashfaq) August 5, 2026
Participants chanted slogans demanding Imran Khan’s release and called for an end to the crackdown on PTI supporters.
