WORLD NEWS | PAKISTAN: Punjab police arrest over 540 Imran Khan party leaders and workers over violence

Lahore [Pakistan]May 13 (ANI): Punjab police have arrested over 540 Imran leaders and Members of the Khan-led Pakistan Justice Instigation (PTI) took place on Friday, Dawn reported.

Since May 9, the Punjab police have filed 205 cases against party officials and employees across the province.

Read also | Afghanistan: Disputes over poppy fields in Badakhshan province kill four farmers and injure five.

There was a brief altercation between police and PTI employees on Thursday night. Police raided PTI’s offices on Jail Road to arrest party members who were listed as suspects, Dawn reported.

Party members reportedly threw stones at police, but retreated when they called for more police to assist.

Read also | Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan returns to Lahore residence after being released on bail in several cases (watch video).

Police had increased their presence around his Zaman Park mansion on Friday night following reports that workers had gathered there in large numbers to welcome PTI chairman Imran Khan following the court relief.

Criminals who attack police forces, critical infrastructure and public and private property deserve no sympathy, Punjab police chief Dr Usman Anwar said in a statement here on Friday.

“These criminals are being identified and tracked through CCTV footage, videos and social media posts,” he said, according to Dawn. Police in Punjab state said the number of leaders and supporters detained has risen to 2,790 people.

Imran Khan has expressed his gratitude to the court for “upholding the constitution” as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) barred the authority from the ruling on Monday (May 15).

Notably, Imran Khan returned to his residence in Zaman Park, Lahore, in the early hours of Saturday morning after being detained for two days, Geo News reported.

PTI supporters greeted him all the way to Lahore. Imran chose a road to reach his residence in Lahore, marking his return after a tumultuous period.

Imran Khan’s arrest at the IHC on May 9 sparked violent protests across the country. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court intervened, annulled his arrest and ordered his release. (Arnie)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)