Arrests in Lahore as PTI workers, police clash for Section 144 violation

LAHORE, March 8 (SABAH): Police have arrested several PTI workers who turned up on Mall Road to participate in the rally the party claims to have been taking out in ‘favour of the judiciary’.

Police also baton-charged the people after the PTI workers thronged Canal Road and set up a temporary bridge. The road leading to Zaman Park from The Mall was blocked with containers.  The PTI had announced a pro-judiciary rally and gave a call to its workers to gather at chief Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence.

Punjab government imposed Section 144 in the city for seven days, citing security concerns and warned the PTI workers against taking to the street. A heavy police contingent and water cannons have been moved near Zaman Park.  The PTI released videos on its Twitter handle, showing that police are using water cannons and arresting workers on Canal Road.

The imposition of the Section 144 comes as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is set to hold a demonstration in the Punjab capital to show solidarity with the judiciary following the Supreme Court’s verdict regarding holding of elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.