Karachi Police on Sunday arrested at least 20 Imran Khan's PTI workers when the party tried to carry out an election rally in the Pakistani city ahead of the February 8 national polls.

The development came as the leaders of all major political parties — including the PPP, the PML-N and the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) — continued their election trail, reported Dawn News.

PTI posted on X: " Police are arresting peaceful people at Karachi, during PTI’s rally." "These are visuals of free and fair elections," the party said.

The political outfit also shared videos of police arresting PTI members.

PTI claimed police lobbed tear gas during their Karachi rally.

The party posted on X: "Using tear gas during an election rally is one of the most shameful acts by these caretakers showing their loyalty to Sharif and Zardari.ECP has completely failed in their basic job."

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) South Asad Raza told Dawn.com that action was taken because the party did not have a no-objection certificate (NOC) to stage a protest or rally in Karachi’s Clifton area.

“The police did not receive any request for a NOC,” he said. “Seven to eight policemen were injured while 20-25 people affiliated with the PTI have been arrested,” he said.

PTI leader and former federal minister Hammad Azhar said police arrested his 82-year-old father, who is also the former Punjab governor, ahead of the election rally in Lahore.

Hammad posted on X: " My 82 year old father arrested. He wanted to lead a rally as per his democratic and constitutional right. Pakistan has today been reduced to a total fascist state with zero human rights or rule of law. One Nawaz Sharif & his daughter calling the shots and ruining the country."