The Islamabad police launched a crackdown on the PTI leadership, arresting party Chairman Gohar Ali Khan, Sher Afzal Marwat and Shoaib Shaheen on Monday after the National Assembly session on Monday.

This comes after the capital city administration decided to take action against Imran Khan’s party for violating the rules during the public gathering in the federal capital the other day.

“We are standing with Imran,” Marwat chanted before the police took him into custody.

According to reports, Marwat was arrested because of violations committed during Sangjani’s rally. Such violations include breach of the designated route, failure to adhere to commitments, an attack on Islamabad police, violations of scheduled timings, and anti-state speeches.

Live footage on Aaj News showed the federal capital police dragged the PTI MNA to the vehicle as his supporters resisted the arrest.

They had stopped the Marwat’s vehicle and asked to come out of the car. But he refused. According to our correspondent Yasir Nazar, the PTI leader came out after police tried to open the car.

They had stopped the Marwat’s vehicle and asked to come out of the car. But he refused. According to our correspondent Yasir Nazar, the PTI leader came out after police tried to open the car.

When they took him from the Parliament Gate, he kept on asking police why he was being arrested. A heavy contingent of police was deployed in Parliament.

Police have claimed that they have a warrant to arrest Marwat following the Sanjgani rally.

Sources within the Islamabad Police said that more PTI leaders would be arrested and personnel would be deployed inside and outside Parliament.

Zartaj Gul managed to escape

In a coordinated move, several PTI leaders, including Zartaj Gul, Zain Qureshi, Aamir Dogar, and Sahibzada Hamid Raza, decided to leave Parliament together. Gul managed to evade police and exited the premises.

Dogar condemned the potential arrests of Parliament members, stating that it would constitute an affront to the august house itself and urged the National Assembly speaker and the Senate chairman to take “immediate notice” of the situation.

Cases against PTI leaders

It merits here to mention that the government has filed three cases against PTI leadership for violating an agreement related to the September 8 rally in the federal capital. The first case was registered at the Sangjani Police Station for failing to adhere to the specified time for the rally. The second case was filed at the Sumbal Police Station for violating the designated route, bringing the convoy through the Sadaat Colony and Srinagar Highway.

Moreover, peaceful assembly and public order amendments to the Elections Act were passed in both houses of Parliament.

Sources added that the third case was registered at the Noon Police Station for stone-pelting incidents involving SSP Safe City and other officials.

Red Zone sealed

The Red Zone in the federal capital was abruptly sealed, with all entrances closed without prior notice to the public. This unexpected action caused significant inconvenience, leading to long traffic jams spanning miles on Margalla Road.

The sudden sealing of the Red Zone has resulted in severe difficulties for the public, with lengthy queues forming as traffic police appear to be struggling to manage the situation. Diversions have been implemented on Margalla Road, adding to the chaos.

As the closure coincided with the end of the workday for government and private offices, employees are facing considerable distress due to the blocked routes.

A heavy police presence has been deployed in front of the Parliament House, but no official explanation has been provided for this deployment.

Sources added that the Islamabad police have received orders for the arrest of PTI parliamentarians.