Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry was arrested by the police in Lahore on Wednesday. Speaking to Dawn newspaper, party leader Farrukh Habib said that Chaudhry was taken into custody from his residence.

An FIR was registered against Fawad Chaudhry under sections 153-A (promotion of enmity between groups), 506 (criminal intimidation), 505 (statement conducing to public mischief) and 124-A (sedition) of the Pakistan Penal Code at Islamabad’s Kohsar Police Station.

The arrest was made shortly after the Opposition leader publicly criticised the Pakistan government for plotting to arrest the country's former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan. PTI shared videos showing a convoy of police vehicles carrying Chaudhry after his arrest.

Other PTI leaders have been criticising the arrest and termed it "disgusting". PTI leader Shireen Mazari tweeted, "Fawad being taken from CTD Lahore to Cantt court. One unarmed politician abducted in the early hours of today now being escorted by this huge contingent. Mohsin Naqvi doesn't waste time showing his virulent hatred of PTI & also does his Master’s bidding. Disgusting."

PTI Sindh president Ali Haider Zaidi said, "Pakistan has become a lawless state." He said that Pakistan has become a lawless state at the hands of these lawbreaking lawmakers and corrupt law enforcement officers. All hell-bent on pushing this country towards anarchy.

Earlier on Tuesday, Fawad Chaudhry, along with hundreds of PTI workers had gathered outside Imran Khan’s Zaman Park residence in Lahore, claiming to avert the government’s alleged plan to arrest the party chief.

Image courtesy: Representative image/ANI