Dozens arrested as police, PTI workers clash across City

LAHORE : Lahore witnessed intense clashes between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists and police on Saturday as political unrest escalated across the city.

The confrontations left dozens injured, both protesters and police personnel. The unrest, triggered by a PTI-led protest, quickly intensified as law enforcement used teargas to disperse demonstrators at several key locations, including Awan-e-Adal, Badami Bagh, and Sheranwala Gate. Despite a heavy police presence, many protesters resisted efforts to clear the areas.

Salman Akram Raja, along with several lawyers and PTI workers, was arrested near the Lahore High Court. When PTI workers and lawyers began protesting at GPO Chowk, police swiftly detained them.

A large contingent of police was stationed outside the Lahore High Court during the protest. Dozens of PTI workers, including a female activist, were also arrested at Minar-e-Pakistan. One female worker managed to bypass security barriers and reach the Minar-e-Pakistan Bridge, where she hoisted the PTI flag.

In response to the PTI protests, authorities took preemptive measures by sealing off all roads leading to Minar-e-Pakistan, the planned rally site. Containers were strategically placed at key access points throughout the city, cutting off routes to critical areas and preventing large gatherings.

Heavy security forces were deployed across Lahore, with law enforcement personnel stationed at major entry points to intercept PTI supporters. Central roads, including The Mall and several adjacent streets, were blocked, causing significant traffic disruptions. The closure of these roads also affected nearby areas, leading to widespread frustration among commuters and residents who struggled to navigate the city.

In anticipation of the unrest, the Punjab government called in nine companies of paramilitary Rangers to assist in maintaining order in Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Attock. These reinforcements were tasked with preventing the protests from escalating into large-scale violence or public disturbances.

Law enforcement also closed roads from Kasur, Thokar Niaz Baig, Kahna, and Canal Road, making access to the protest site increasingly difficult for PTI supporters arriving from different parts of the city and nearby areas. Residents of Lahore, aware of the brewing unrest, adjusted their routines to avoid being caught in the gridlock and confrontations.

Since Wednesday, the Punjab government has launched a crackdown on PTI activists, arresting approximately 600 party members. Police conducted a series of raids on the houses and offices of PTI supporters to disrupt the mobilisation of protesters ahead of the planned demonstration.

All police stations in Lahore were placed on high alert, with officers instructed to patrol neighbourhoods and arrest those found violating the government-imposed ban on public gatherings. Despite the ban, PTI activists continued to defy the restrictions and take to the streets.

A Central Control Room, established at the Home Department, closely monitored the situation, tracking the movement of PTI workers and coordinating security efforts throughout the city. Despite these heightened security measures, skirmishes between protesters and law enforcement persisted throughout the day.

The suspension of traffic on The Mall, other major roads, and adjacent streets further aggravated the situation, with commuters expressing frustration over the lack of proper traffic management. Long delays were reported across the city, leaving residents stranded and intensifying tensions.

As the situation continues to unfold, both sides remain entrenched, with no immediate resolution in sight. The confrontation between PTI activists and the government continues to dominate Lahore’s political landscape, casting uncertainty over the future of peaceful protest in the city.