Islamabad, Pakistan: 11 Sep 2024:  The recent overnight arrests of several legislators and leaders from former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), could spark a new confrontation between the opposition and the government, according to analysts.

The arrests took place late Monday night on the premises of Pakistan’s parliament, shortly after PTI held a rally on the outskirts of Islamabad, demanding Khan’s release. Imran Khan has been imprisoned since August of last year on various charges. Although many of his convictions have been overturned or suspended, the 71-year-old former cricketer remains in jail, facing ongoing trials.

Rights groups have condemned Khan’s detention as “arbitrary,” and recent signals from the government and military suggesting Khan might be tried in a military court have further inflamed tensions within PTI.

Social media footage captured police officers detaining PTI leaders at the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, following its session on Monday evening. Similar raids were reported at other locations around Islamabad.

While the police have confirmed the arrest of four PTI politicians, including chairman Gohar Ali Khan, the party asserts that at least 13 of its leaders were taken into custody.