ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: At least six provincial MPs in Pakistan were detained on Tuesday along with dozens of supporters ahead of a planned protest calling for the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan, his party said.
August 5 marks two years since Khan was first taken into custody, accused in dozens of cases that he claims are politically motivated.
"Several arrests have been reported so far, including seven members of the Punjab assembly," said Zulfikar Bukhari, the party's spokesperson based in London for security reasons.
The arrests were made in Lahore as the MPs who support Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf travelled to the protest site in Lahore.
Dozens more supporters were picked up in police vans, according to photos and videos posted on social media by the party.
Repeated crackdowns on party leaders and supporters have squashed Khan's once massive street power, even if he remains wildly popular.
Khan was ousted from power in 2022 by a no-confidence vote after losing favour with the country's powerful military.
The former cricketing star has been held in custody since August 2023 charged in dozens of cases that he claims are politically motivated.
He was convicted of graft in January along with his wife and sentenced to 14 years and seven years respectively.
It came after an anti-terrorism courts convicted dozens of PTI members including MPs and the National Assembly's opposition leader over nationwide protests that targeted military installations in 2023.
The convictions, announced in July and August, included sentences of up to 10 years for inciting riots.
Meanwhile, Khan's two sons Kasim and Sulaiman, from his former marriage to Jemima Goldsmith, have launched an international media campaign to drum up support for his release.