Islamabad, May 11 :Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, has been arrested in a pre-dawn raid under section 3 of Maintenance of Public order (3MPO), police sources said on Thursday.

The PTI leader was taken into custody from Gilgit Baltistan House in Islamabad after a failed police attempt to arrest him on Wednesday afternoon, Geo news reports.

Qureshi is wanted by police in cases of riots and arsons in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police sources said.

However, before his arrest, the PTI leader encouraged party workers to continue their struggle for true freedom in the country.

“As a foreign minister of Pakistan, I defended Pakistan’s interests at every forum. I have been in practical politics for 40 years,” he said. He added that he has no regrets and has not made any provocative statements that could lead to lawsuits. Qureshi is confident that the PTI’s struggle will reach its destination.

Qureshi expressed his grief and shock over around 50 casualties in the recent violent protests that erupted after the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan in Islamabad.

He noted that a worthwhile cause requires sacrifices and the PTI and its workers will continue their struggle for such a worthy cause.

The PTI leader emphasised that the allegation of the Corps Commander Lahore incident is a false charge against him and Imran Khan.

He called upon the party activists to remain calm and stick to their cause.