LAHORE: Following the Lahore police’s operation for the arrest of PTI chief Imran Khan, hundreds of party workers reacted strongly and launched protests in many cities of the province here on Tuesday.

Particularly, the agitation was launched at Gujranwala, Hafizabad, Mandi Bhauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Kamoky and the adjoining districts of Lahore, including Sheikhpura and Kasur.

Similarly, the PTI workers also took to streets at Sahiwal, Okara, Sargodha, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, Rawalpindi, Toba Tek Singh and Faisalabad.

Meanwhile, the Punjab police increased deployment and blocked various inter-city roads to stop the PTI rallies’ movement towards Lahore.

Though there are reports of some brief clashes between the protesters and the police, no casualty has been reported so far in any part of the province.

The PTI workers raised slogans against PML-N top leadership, Lahore police and the Punjab government, alleging that their “nexus” has crossed all limits to silence Imran Khan.

According to local sources, a large number of PTI workers took out rallies in Sheikhupua and gathered at Batti Chowk, blocking the busy intersection for vehicular traffic.

Another group of the party workers assembled at Mananwal in Sheikhpura, where they staged a sit-in to protest police action against their chairman. A heavy police contingent reaching the spot, intensified security measures to stop the PTI workers when they tried to march towards Lahore.

Similarly, protests were witnessed at Khudian and Kasur Bypass where the PTI workers blocked the road for traffic and raised slogans against the possible arrest of Imran Khan.

The police also foiled an attempt by the PTI workers when they tried to enter Lahore from Ferozepur Road. The police deployment was increased on the main artery linking Kasur and Lahore cities, the sources said, adding that the agitation continued in many parts of the province till the filing of the report at 10pm.

Published in Dawn, March 15th, 2023