PTI's Fawad arrested from Lahore home in predawn police raid.

ISLAMABAD/LAHORE -- Police in Lahore arrested Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) senior leader Fawad Chaudhry on early Wednesday in a sedition case registered against him with the Islamabad Police on the complaint of Secretary of the Election Commission of Pakistan Umar Hameed. According to the FIR, the complaint invokes 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. It stated that Fawad, in a speech outside PTI Chairman Imran Khan's house, threatened the ECP and said that those who become part of the caretaker government in Punjab will be pursued until they are punished. In a tweet, the Islamabad Police also said that Fawad tried to incite violence against a constitutional institution and inflame the sentiments of the people.

It stated that proceedings would be made as per law in the case. The arrest of Fawad Chaudhry, a senior opposition leader, is said be a major setback for the party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, in which he serves as vice president. PTI leaders quickly condemned the arrest and demanded his release.

PTI Chairman Imran Khan also denounced the arrest, claiming on Twitter that it left no doubt that Pakistan has become a place 'devoid of rule of law.' He urged followers to 'stand up for our fundamental rights' to prevent the country from drifting toward 'a point of no return.' 'Medical exaMination' A local court in Lahore Wednesday granted transit remand of Fawad Chaudhry for producing him before Islamabad court in connection with the case.

Earlier, Islamabad's Kohsar police had produced the PTI leader before Judicial Magistrate Rana Mudassar after arresting him in the early hours of Wednesday morning from outside his residence in a case registered on the complaint of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) Secretary Umar Hameed for 'inciting violence against a constitutional institution.'

The police requested the court to grant transit remand of the PTI leader for producing him before court concerned in Islamabad. However, Fawad's counsel opposed the plea for transit remand and submitted that Islamabad was just at a distance of four-hour drive and no transit...