After the Punjab Home Department enforced Section 144 prohibiting public demonstrations ahead of the PTI's election rally and the Aurat March slated for today, the party workers were brought into the prison from the Zaman Park neighborhood, where PTI Chairman Imran Khan's residence is located.
The PTI workers showed resistance to avoid arrest after which police fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse them.
The Home Department noted in a statement released today that several rallies and protests are staged on a daily basis at various locations in Lahore, which not only pose severe security dangers but also impede traffic and disturb the general public.
There had been a history of terrorist activity during demonstrations and protests in which many police officers and citizens had embraced martyrdom, the notice read.
"Hence, in the context of the prevailing overall security situation in the wake of the recent wave of terrorism and latest threat alerts, it has been necessary to impose Section 144 of Cr.P.C, 1898 on holding of all kinds of assemblies, gatherings, sits-in, rallies, processions, demonstrations, jalsas, dharnas, protests and such like other activities across the district Lahore to avert any untoward incident," the notification added issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Shakeel Ahmed.
Meanwhile, PTI leader Hammad Azhar, while speaking to journalists, said that a large number of people will attend today's rally. He urged the party workers to remain calm. He said that the government wants to create a Model Town-like situation in Zaman Park.
He said the SSP had approved the security situation the previous evening, but now a ban has been put in place.
The Imran Khan-led PTI election rally was slated to start from Zaman Park and end at Data Darbar after traveling through the following locations: Mall Road Underpass, FC College Underpass, Ichhra, Ferozepur Road close to Muslim Town Morr, Samnabad, LOS Chowk, Lytton Road, MAO College, PMG Chowk, Government College, and Central Model School.