Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers demonstrated their determination on Saturday as they gathered in Lahore to protest at Minar-e-Pakistan, following a call from the party’s founder. The protests began in the afternoon, with PTI members and lawyers assembling near the Lahore High Court and GPO Chowk. However, the gathering quickly escalated when police responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd, which included a significant deployment of the Dolphin Force and other law enforcement agencies.
The clashes between PTI supporters and police resulted in multiple arrests and injuries. Notably, Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, was apprehended near the railway station, while female PTI leader Musarrat Jamshed Cheema was taken into custody at Azadi Chowk. Additionally, eight other party workers faced detention for chanting slogans in support of their cause.
Also Read: Police Arrest PTI Workers Amid Ongoing Protests in Lahore
To thwart a potential large-scale assembly, the Punjab government implemented stringent measures, including imposing Section 144 to prohibit public gatherings. Military and paramilitary forces were deployed across the city, and authorities blocked key routes leading to Minar-e-Pakistan, including the M-2 Motorway and GT Road, using containers and trailers. Major access points such as Azadi Chowk and Shahdara were sealed, and police in plain clothes patrolled sensitive areas, including the Azadi Flyover and Greater Iqbal Park.
Despite these preparations, PTI’s senior leadership was notably absent from the protests in Lahore, leaving the event with less impact than anticipated. In a press conference, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan explained that the absence of key figures was a strategic decision aimed at avoiding arrests, especially with upcoming assembly sessions. He noted that previous protests had led to the detention of many PTI lawmakers, prompting a more cautious approach this time around.
Although the protest lacked the expected momentum, th
