Police launched a crackdown on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders and supporters on Tuesday as the party staged nationwide protests demanding the release of its founder Imran Khan.

Tensions soared outside Adiala Jail and in various cities across the country amid mass arrests and heightened security.

In Lahore, clashes erupted between PTI workers and police, with law enforcement detaining several protestors, including Deputy Opposition Leader and six MPAs who attempted to join the protest.

Over the past three days, sources said, more than 500 PTI workers have been arrested.

Security was ramped up at key locations. Riot police, prisoner vans, and water cannons were deployed outside Aiwan-e-Adl, where PTI-affiliated lawyers tried to march towards the Lahore High Court but were stopped by police.

Several leaders including Rehana Dar, her daughter-in-law Arooba Dar, and PTI lawyer and former MNA Naz Baloch were detained.

In Islamabad, additional contingents of police reached Parliament House.

While PTI MNAs remained inside the premises, the Speaker assured that no arrests would be made within the compound.

Meanwhile, the main gate of Parliament was locked and sealed, with lawmakers like Salman Akram exiting from the rear.

Heavy police presence was also reported in the Red Zone, while most PTI parliamentarians stayed confined to the KP House, debating whether to march towards Adiala Jail or stay put.

Despite the party’s call for protest, there was little visible presence of PTI leadership in the twin cities.

Outside Adiala Jail, where former prime minister Imran Khan is incarcerated, security was extraordinarily tight. Barriers were erected and police checkpoints were set up on all access routes.

PTI chairman vows to continue protests

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, in a statement, said rallies were being held across the country to demand the release of the party’s founder.

“This movement cannot be stopped now,” he said.

“Today’s rallies are on the instructions of our leader. Our only aim is to ensure his freedom.”

Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan also reaffirmed that the protest call came directly from the PTI founder.

“We visit him every Tuesday. I came from Lahore and was stopped only at Chakri,” she said while speaking to reporters in Gorakhpur.

Massive turnout in KP

The largest demonstration was held in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur led a massive rally in Peshawar.

Starting from Hayatabad Toll Plaza, the rally passed through Pir Zakori Bridge and concluded at Qila Bala Hisar.

Speaking during the protest, Gandapur declared August 5 “a dark day in Pakistan’s history,” saying Imran Khan was wrongly convicted and jailed for crimes he never committed. He added that even Imran’s wife, Bushra Bibi, was unjustly imprisoned.

“Despite all state pressure, the people will show today that Imran Khan remains Pakistan’s most popular leader,” he said.

Protest in Sindh

Meanwhile, protests and rallies are ongoing across Sindh for the release of Imran Khan.

PTI Sindh leader Haleem Adil Sheikh shared a video on his X account, showing a protest staged by the PTI Labour and Women’s wings in Sanghar.