RAWALPINDI: The local administration on Tuesday started releasing of 315 activists of political parties from Adiala jail.

They were arrested by the police from Rawalpindi and Islamabad to pre-empt lockdown plan of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on Nov 2.

Giving a break-up of the 315 political activists arrested during the crackdown, the Pindi police said 139 belonged to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), six to Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and five to Awami Muslim League (AML).

Their release orders were issued after the PTl chairman called off Nov 2 protest in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to constitute a Panamagate investigation commission. The apex court asked PTl and the government to submit their TORs for the commission After the SC decision, the PTl chairman converted its `lockdown` plan into `thanksgiving` rally to be held in Islamabad on Wednesday.

According to police sources, the release process of 315 political prisoners, which began early Tuesday night, was likely to be completed before midnight.

Besides, the police sources said, as many as 134 political workers would be released from Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal jails. The political workers were arrested by police on the charges of violating Section 144.

The district administration had imposed Section 144 in Rawalpindi for two days from Oct 28 ahead of planned rallies by AML and PTI.