Several senior leaders of Pakistan Tehreek-E-Insaf (PTI), including the National Assembly’s opposition leader Omar Ayub and imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sisters, were briefly detained and later released by the Rawal Pindi police on Thursday near the Adiala prison, where the PTI founder is held.

The prisons took place after a verbal confrontation on a police checkpoint after the group was denied permission to meet Khan.

Those held included Punjab Assembly opposition leader Ahmed Khan Bhachar, Sunni Itthad Council (Sic) Chief SaHibzada Hamid Raza and Khan’s sisters Aleema Khan, Uzma Khanum and Noreen Khanum together with his cousin Qasim Khan.

Police officials allegedly showed arrest warrants and moved the group into a prison van. “We will arrest you all,” an officer was quoted as saying, as Ayub told journalists, “they arrest the opposition leader.”

The incident took place at the Gorakhpur checkpoint where the PTI supporters had gathered and sang slogans in protest.

A week earlier, a similar clash had occurred outside the Adiala prison between PTI workers and law enforcement staff. Police later released the detained persons near the Chakri exchange.

The federal government meanwhile refused to impose any restrictions on meetings between Khan and his legal or political employees. PTI officials condemned the arrests and warned of further public reaction if such measures continue.