Several top PTI leaders were taken into custody on Tuesday from outside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi for violating Section 144 but were released shortly afterwards after being issued a warning, police said.

Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is a legal provision that empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period. It is usually imposed to prevent potential disturbances, maintain law and order, and curb any activities that might escalate into violence.

According to Punjab Police spokesperson, Sajjadul Hassan, “PTI workers were detained for violating Section 144 but were released after being issued a warning.”

“The enforcement of the law will be ensured in any case,” said the police spokesperson.

‘Absolutely shameful’

Earlier, the PTI had said that several of its leaders were arrested from outside the Adiala Jail when they went to meet their incarcerated leader, Imran Khan, terming the move “absolutely shameful.”

“Absolutely shameful! Omar Ayub Khan, Shibli Faraz, Asad Qaiser, Ahmed Bhachar, Sahibzada Hamid Raza have been arrested outside Adiala Jail, for simply exercising their right to meet with Imran Khan, as permitted by law,” the PTI said in a post on X.

“This should alarm anyone who values the rule of law, as it shows how basic freedoms are being trampled upon,” it added.

Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Malik Ahmed Bhachar and ally Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) MNA Sahibzada Hamid Raza were also among those arrested, the party said.

A video shared by the PTI showed Ayub being seated in the backseat of a white Toyota Corolla vehicle amid high security, while Raza was also being pulled away by uniformed personnel. A police van could also be seen parked on the road’s opposite side.

In another post on X, the PTI said the arrests highlighted the “PML-N government’s blatant misuse of power”, saying it was aimed at “silencing PTI leaders and anyone standing with Imran Khan”.

Calling it an “assault on political freedoms”, the party called on the public to “peacefully protest”.

A post on Qaiser’s X account said former MNA Aliya Hamza Malik was also among those taken into custody. It claimed that the party leaders were “being arrested after being forced out of their vehicles”.

‘Unprovoked’

Following their release, PTI leaders held a press conference to condemn their detention.

“The way we were dragged today unprovoked is an insult to the Constitution of Pakistan,” said Faraz.

“We went there to meet our leader peacefully. We hadn’t held a rally or shown any aggression, but we were neither allowed to leave nor meet Khan Sahab.”

Frequent detentions, arrests

Since Imran’s incarceration, PTI leaders and supporters have frequently faced detentions and arrests on different counts, mostly related to protests.

Last month, the police raided the houses of PTI leaders and activists across multiple districts of Punjab and apprehended several ticket holders, district office bearers, and activists for their participation in protests organised by the party’s high command.

In September, the party’s top leadership, including chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Sher Afzal Khan Marwat, and Advocate Shoaib Shaheen — along with 11 MNAs — were arrested by Islamabad police outside parliament but released later.

Aleema Khan and Uzma Khan, Imran’s sister, along with a dozen party workers, were also arrested for allegedly leading a protest in Islamabad last month. Both of them were released from the Jhelum District Jail on October 26 after a judge granted them bail.

The party has consistently decried the government’s crackdown on its supporters and have demanded Imran’s release.