Lahore, May 9 (UNI) Thousands of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and supporters descended on the streets in cities across Pakistan, chanting slogans against the government as well as Pakistan Army, and large mobs headed to the army installations amid a deteriorating law and order situation following the arrest of PTI chief and former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Baton-wielding demonstrators reached inside General Headquarters (GHQ) of the Pakistan Army in Rawalpindi, reports said.
Videos of protests by the PTI activists emerged on social media soon after ex-PM and PTI Chairman Imran Khan was arrested outside Islamabad High Court (IHC) earlier today.
Thousands of PTI workers descended on the streets of major cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Quetta to protest.
Demonstrators are demanding the release of Imran Khan, and many were carrying banners and placards denouncing his arrest.
The Punjab and Balochistan governments imposed Section 144 in the province in wake of protests being staged across the provinces following the arrest of Imran Khan in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The decisions to impose Section 144 was taken after agitated protesters stormed government buildings and blocked roads for traffic following Imran Khan’s arrest.
The Punjab caretaker government has called in the Rangers, while mobile and internet services in the province have also been shut down.
The Islamabad administration also imposed Section 144 in the capital territory.
The situation was tense in many parts of the country, with PTI workers vowing to continue their protests until Imran Khan is released.
PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry urged workers in a tweet to “come out of home” against the arrest of Imran Khan. He likened the arrest of Imran Khan to “arresting the judiciary” and wrote that the Islamabad High Court had been attacked.
Imran Khan was arrested by a team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) that was assisted by a large contingent of the Rangers personnel, when he was marking his attendance through biometric verification.
The NAB chairman issued the arrest warrants for Imran Khan. The PTI chairman has been shifted to the NAB Rawalpindi office.
Security has been beefed up outside the NAB Rawalpindi office. Police has blocked all roads leading to the office. Anti-Riot Force, FC contingents and additional police force have been stationed outside the NAB office.