Former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed, along with one of his nephews and a secretary, was arrested in Rawalpindi, his lawyer told Aaj News on Sunday. He was hiding after the violent protests broke out following PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s first arrest on May 9.

The Punjab inspector general of police, Dr Usman Anwar, confirmed the arrest a few hours after the Islamabad police said they were not holding him.

Sheikh Rasheed was arrested by the Islamabad police and men in civil dress, his lawyer Sardar Abdul Razzaq told Aaj News via phone.

The development comes after a flurry of arrests of the PTI leaders amid a crackdown on arsonists who damaged state buildings and military installations on May 9. The number of people arrested was not confirmed, but the military’s spokesperson told reporters on June 26 that the Pakistan army had sacked three army officers, including a lieutenant general, for their failure to prevent the violent protests of May 9.

From his secret location, the Awami Muslim League chief was active on social media where he has been posting videos and commenting on political and economic matters.

“The political victimisation and fascism continues, this time with the arrest of Sheikh Rashid,” the PTI said in a post, formerly known as Twitter.

“This is yet another episode of mockery of law in Pakistan. Despite a caretaker government in place the fascism, and blatant violation of human rights continues!” the party added.

Earlier in the day, PTI President Pervaiz Elahi was re-arrested by the Rawalpindi police in Lahore after a court discharged him in a graft case pertaining to the Lahore Master Plan 2050.

The Imran Khan-led party claimed that he was re-arrested for sticking to the party and refusing to address a “press conference” like other former party leaders who quit the PTI in a media talk.

Meanwhile, Rasheed’s nephew also confirmed the reports.

“The AML chief was arrested by a heavy contingent of Punjab Police from Phase 3 of the Bahria Town,” he said in a more than two-minute video. “We don’t know where he is right now.”

He claimed that Rasheed was arrested along with one of his nephews Sheikh Shakir and principal secretary Sheikh Imran.

He went on to add that the Punjab police and the Islamabad police have given in writing to the court that Rasheed was not proclaimed in any case.

“He [Rasheed] right from the first day has condemned the events of May 9. I also condemn that.”

Shafiq also requested the higher courts to take notice of the arrest and find out where his uncle was taken. “We will fight the legal battle and have always indulged in politics of principles,” he added.

According to Shafiq, their lawyer Razzaq would file an application in the Islamabad High Court and the Pindi court. He went on to add that the federal and provincial governments would be responsible if anything happened to Rasheed.

This is the second arrest of Rasheed this year. In February, he was arrested on the accusations of hatching a conspiracy to kill former president Asif Ali Zardari.