Police arrested former prime minister Imran Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan when they were en route to D-Chowk in Islamabad where the party has announced a protest.

The situation has been tense, with ongoing skirmishes between police and PTI workers at various locations. The sisters have been taken to the Secretariat Police Station.

According to the Islamabad IGP, more than 30 individuals have already been arrested. In Lahore, police have labelled the PTI workers arrested in connection with Sunday’s protest as “troublemakers” and orders have been issued for the arrest of 1,590 PTI workers.

Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan has once again urged his supporters to assemble for a “peaceful protest,” as the party ramps up its preparations for a rally despite a ban on gatherings. Another rally is set to take place at Lahore’s Minar-i-Pakistan on Saturday.

The PTI has organized numerous protests nationwide in recent weeks, advocating against the “unlawful” imprisonment of its founder and the Election Commission of Pakistan’s delays in executing the reserved seats verdict, as well as calling for the protection of the Constitution.

Prior to the rallies in Islamabad and Lahore earlier this month, the government imposed strict regulations, which the PTI did not fully adhere to, resulting in clashes between party workers and law enforcement.