Imran Khan’s sisters among 30 arrested; life in Islamabad paralysed amid PTI protest. Police fire tear gas at PTI workers as arrests climb to over 30 in D-Chowk crackdown. Clashes erupt between Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa convoy and police at Burhan Interchange
RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters began gathering at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on Friday, prompting police to fire tear gas in an effort to disperse them. According to reports, four more PTI workers were arrested at the scene, bringing the total number of arrests at D-Chowk to six. Nationwide, over 30 PTI members have been detained in various locations.
In response to the PTI protest, authorities sealed all routes leading into Islamabad, effectively cutting off access from Rawalpindi. At the Burhan Interchange, clashes erupted between the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) convoy and the police, with tear gas used to control the situation. Several PTI workers were arrested at the scene.
Islamabad police confirmed that three individuals were arrested from D-Chowk, including two civilians and one PTI supporter. Tear gas was used to push back the protesters, who retaliated by chanting slogans against the police.
In Rawalpindi, key roads, including Murree Road, have been blocked for 16 hours, causing severe disruption. Public transport is off the roads, and even motorcyclists are facing difficulties due to the containers and barricades.
Despite heavy security, a female PTI supporter managed to reach D-Chowk, where she shouted slogans in favour of PTI and against the government. Her arrival sparked chaos among the police, who swiftly detained her and moved her to the station.
Several major roads, including Cheering Cross, MH Chowk, and Mall Road in Saddar, have been sealed from both sides, while other key points in Rawalpindi, such as Flashman Road, Marrir Chowk, and Double Road Stadium, remain closed.
Rawalpindi’s City Traffic Police have advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel due to the ongoing unrest. Motorcycle access is permitted on major roads linking the twin cities, but entry into Islamabad’s Red Zone remains completely blocked.
Amidst the blockade, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) assured that domestic and international flights would continue as scheduled. Passengers are advised to plan their airport journeys carefully, using alternative routes.
In Punjab, Section 144 has been imposed in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Sargodha, with a ban on political gatherings, protests, and demonstrations. Rangers have been deployed in Rawalpindi, Attock, and Lahore to maintain law and order during the protests.
Rawalpindi Metro Bus services remain suspended, and double-riding on motorcycles is prohibited across the city. Islamabad police continue to enforce Section 144, urging citizens not to engage in illegal activities.
For those travelling to or from Islamabad, authorities recommend keeping updated with traffic advisories. The situation remains tense, with security on high alert as PTI protests continue to unfold across the region.
‘PTI activists plan to attack Islamabad with arms’, says interior minister on protest rally
ISLAMABAD: While leadership and activists of the Imran Khan-founded party heading towards the federal capital despite roadblocks, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said everyone has the right to hold protest demonstration but the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters are going to “attack Islamabad with weapons”.
“This is not the right way and we will not allow this to happen,” the security czar said while talking to journalists in Islamabad on Friday.
with hoards of the PTI workers are travelling towards the federal capital amid visits of foreign dignitaries.
Naqvi said he had requested the PTI a day ago as well “not to hold rally for now”. The minister added that he would not let anyone damage properties.
On Thursday, he also warned the PTI against holding the public gathering as visits of foreign dignitaries, including the Malaysian prime minister, were planned in Islamabad.
Amid its anti-government campaign, the former ruling party is holding protests for the “independence” of the judiciary and the release of the former prime minister from jail.
The protest coincides with the final day of the Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Pakistan and ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. The authorities have already enforced Section 144 and “the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, 2024”, regulating holding of public assemblies at certain places in Islamabad.
“The PTI’s top leadership should review its protest call […] No one will be allowed for an onrush on Islamabad,” the security czar had said while addressing a presser along with officials of the federal police.
In today’s news conference, he said the security force deployed by the government did not wield guns, whereas “you could see in videos and pictures that those coming towards Islamabad are carrying arms”.
“The KP chief minister [Ali Amin Gandapur] is a Pakistani. He should think what he’s doing. He has an entire province under his command; he should hold protest wherever he wants,” Naqvi said, adding that they had the right to hold protest, but it was not the right way to do it.
“I am clear in my stance that they are storming Islamabad,” he said.
Meanwhile, the interior minister said, the government had taken some extra measures for security of the foreign guests. “Providing security to those guests was crucial.”
