Arrested PTI leaders, workers released

LAHORE: Leaders and workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) arrested during a police crackdown on their protest being held on Mall Road have been released.

Speaking to the media, DIG Operations, Rao Tahir announced that PTI workers and leaders would be arrested again if the blocked the road. Tahir said that Punjab Assembly Opposition leader Mehmoodur Rasheed was not arrested but voluntarily sat in the police van with PTI workers.

The PTI Punjab President, Ejaz Chaudhry has asked workers to protest across the province.

Earlier on Saturday, police arrested several PTI workers and leaders, uprooting their hunger-strike camp which was setup on Mall Road to protest against alleged rigging in the by-elections on PP-150.

The police crackdown drew strong criticism from the PTI chairman Imran Khan and other senior leaders.

Opposition Leader in the Punjab Assembly Mehmoodur Rasheed and female workers were also held in the crackdown. DCO Naseem Sadiq said that protest could not be held at the Mall Road due to imposition of Section 144.

PTI leader and MNA Shafqat Mehmood said that party's Punjab President Ejaz Chaudhry, Information Secretary Andleeb Abbas and several other workers and leaders were arrested.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took notice of the police action and directed them to immediately release the PTI workers and leaders.