More than 240 supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan were arrested on Tuesday, as they rallied on the second anniversary of his detention.

Security officials and police said at east 122 were detained trying to block roads and threatening law and order in the eastern city of Lahore, capital of Punjab province

Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) had sought to stage nationwide protests, calling for his release.

Police fired tear gas to quell the crowds in the cities of Karachi and Muzaffarabad.

"The party decided to hold peaceful protests across the country, to which the government responded by imposing a ban on gatherings, (and) blocking main highways," said Zulfikar Bukhari, PTI party spokesperson, who is based in London.

Supporters outside a Lahore courthouse shouted "Free Imran Khan!" while smaller groups gathered protests across the city.

Bukhari said over 200 activists were detained in Lahore alone.

Why is Khan in jail?

Khan urged supporters to "come out and hold peaceful protests until a true democracy is restored," according to a message attributed to Khan on his party's X account on Monday.

The former cricket star turned prime minister of Pakistan was ousted in 2022 by a no-confidence vote.

He has been detained since August 2023 and been charged in dozens of cases, ranging from corruption, terrorism and disclosure of official secrets.

Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, were both convicted of graft and were sentenced to 14 years and seven years in prison, respectively.

An anti-terrorism court also convicted dozens of PTI party members, including MPs and the National Assembly's opposition leader, over nationwide protests in 2023.

Khan has denied any wrongdoing, saying the charges against him are politically motivated.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn