Islamabad police release Imran Ismail, Arif Alvi
The Ministry of Interior ordered the release of the two leaders.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders Imran Ismail and Arif Alvi were released few minutes after their brief detention.
The Ministry of Interior ordered the release of the two leaders, sources told Dunya News.
Both were taken into custody by Islamabad police as they staged sit-in on Korang Road after they were barred from heading towards Bani Gala.
TV footage showed dramatic scenes as policemen pushed Arif Ali towards a hi-roof van. Police personnel also wrestled with Imran Ismail who, at one point, also fell to the ground, but police succeeded in pushing him into the van.
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Speaking to Dunya News via phone, Imran Ismail had confirmed his detention, saying he was "arrested brutally".
MNA Arif Alvi accused police of torturing him.
Imran Ismail posted photos on Twitter after being detained by police
A heavy contingent of police and FC personnel have surrounded Bani Gala to prevent PTI workers from gathering at Imran Khan‘s residence two days ahead of their planned protest in the federal capital.
Several roads have been blocked and checkpoints have been established to check movement of the party activists.
Earlier today, PTI leaders Shireen Mazari, Chaudhry Sarward and Mehmood-ur-Rasheed were also stopped by police, but they were allowed to proceed after exchange of heated words.
Earlier on Sunday, police arrested more than 100 supporters of opposition politician Imran Khan who entered Islamabad days before a planned protest shutdown of the capital.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is under growing pressure from opposition parties, mainly Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), over his children’s offshore bank accounts which were revealed in the Panama Papers leak.
Khan, a former cricketing hero, has threatened to "lock down" Islamabad on Wednesday to force Sharif to resign or accept an inquiry into the affair.
