ISLAMABAD: KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s convey has resumed its journey after a night stay at Barhma Interchange and is adamant about reaching D-Chowk at any cost.
PTI lawmaker Asad Qaiser condemning the arrests of his party’s workers in Islamabad, said that we won’t back down due to arrests. “We will stage the protest at D-Chowk and wait for the next directives from the PTI founder,” he added.
Following the protest call, a police contingent along with rangers, FC, and army troops deployed at several entry points of the city to stop KP CM’s convoy from entering the federal capital.
علی امین گنڈاپور کا قافلہ براہمہ انٹر چینج سے گزرتا ہوئے ٹیکسلا کی حدود ٹھٹھہ خلیل میں داخل، کارکن پُرجوش۔
pic.twitter.com/G6PJiiSWaW— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 5, 2024
The Pakistan Army has assumed security responsibilities in Islamabad following orders from the Ministry of Interior under Article 245 of the Constitution.
As per the details, the deployment of troops in the capital and its surrounding areas has been completed, with military personnel actively patrolling to ensure the safety and security of citizens ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) later this month.
Dozens of protesters have been arrested including Imran Khan’s sister and mobile networks and internet services remain suspended in Islamabad and Rawalpindi amid a PTI protest at Islamabad’s D-Chowk.
The government and opposition figures alike urged Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) to postpone the demonstration, however, incarcerated party founder again called on his supporters to gather for a “peaceful protest”.
Here’s how PTI activists removing containers at D-Chowk Islamabad. While party workers shout slogans in favour of former prime minister Imran Khan.
اسلام آباد میں کارکن کچھ اس طرح سے کنٹینرز کو ٹھکانے لگا رہے ہیں،
ریٹویٹ کرتے جائیں۔ pic.twitter.com/KweHkw7DNL— Wahab Khan (@Itx_Wahab123) October 4, 2024
پاکستان زندہ باد!
انقلاب زندہ باد! #نصر_من_الله_وفتح_قريب#حق_کی_جیت_ہو_گی pic.twitter.com/J286SPMuH5
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 4, 2024
Earlier in a video statement, CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur vowed to reach Islamabad’s D-Chowk at any cost. “We will reach Islamabad according to the directions of Imran Khan despite violence and barricades erected to stop us,” he said.
As the PTI refuses to postpone it, local authorities have placed around 300 containers on major roads and intersections sealing all entry and exit points of the federal capital, while around 6,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in and around the city.
Similarly, the Punjab government has taken stern measures in the provincial capital where PTI has announced a mass demonstration at Minar-i-Pakistan on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called on the party to re-schedule its protest in Islamabad after Oct 17 due to the presence of foreign dignitaries in the capital, including the Malaysian Prime Minister and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit later this month.
Police, PTI supporters confrontation
As the caravans approached the federal capital, local PTI workers began to gather at D-Chowk, prompting the police to fire tear gas, leading to the arrest of several individuals.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) has told the media that more than 30 people have been arrested for violating Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure at D-Chowk.
PTI’s official X account said that former PM Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan has been arrested by the police at D Chowk. “State of affairs in Pakistan under a fascist regime where citizens have been completely ripped of their fundamental rights,” it wrote.
Former PM Imran Khan’s sister Aleema Khan has been arrested by the police at D Chowk for exercising her right of Peaceful Protest. Such is the state of affairs in Pakistan under a fascist regime where citizens have been completely ripped of their fundamental rights!… pic.twitter.com/NBxieG8IKa
— PTI (@PTIofficial) October 4, 2024
The government has ensured additional deployment of police, Rangers, and Frontier Corps personnel at the D Chowk as protestors rally marches towards the square. Meanwhile, roads leading to the D Chowk have been closed with barbed wire.
Following the protest call, roads leading to the Red Zone and D-Chowk were sealed from all sides, including Serena, Jinnah Avenue, Nadra Square, and the Marriott Hotel.
Entry and exit points of the twin cities, including Srinagar Highway at 26 no Chungi, Faizabad interchange, Sanjgani Toll Plaza, Margalla Road, and 9th Avenue were also closed with containers.
A public holiday has been announced in all private and public schools in the federal capital and the Metrobus service is suspended in Rawalpindi although operational in Islamabad from IJP to Pak Secretariat.
Internet and mobile network services have been temporarily suspended in several cities of Pakistan, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest call.
Moreover, the Islamabad authorities have banned pillion riding for two days (Friday and Saturday) in the federal capital. The order was issued by the Additional District Magistrate Usman Ashraf.
Following the federal government’s decision, the Punjab govt also imposed a ban on pillion riding in Rawalpindi and Attock. The ban has been imposed for two days under Section 144 in the two cities, reads the notification issued by the Punjab Home Ministry.
As of 12:30 pm, Downdetector, an internet monitoring website showed a spike in reported outages of Zong and PTCL services since around 5 am, with most of the complaints located near Rawalpindi.
Amnesty slams govt measures
Amnesty International slammed the government for the blanket shutdown of mobile networks and internet in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and the complete blockade of roads.
In a statement, the human rights organization said that the measures imposed by the government to impede the PTI protest infringe on people’s right to freedom of expression, access to information, peaceful assembly and movement.
“These restrictions are part of a worrying clampdown on the right to protest in Pakistan through internet shutdowns, mass arrests, unlawful use of force and arbitrary imposition of Section 144.” the statement read.
Amnesty International, in a statement, calls on the Pakistani authorities to immediately restore communication networks, respect the right to protest and refrain from the use of any unlawful force against peaceful protesters.
PAKISTAN: The blanket shutdown of mobile network and internet in Islamabad and Rawalpindi and complete blockade of roads to the capital imposed ahead of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) protests today, infringe on people’s right to freedom of expression, access to information,…
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) October 4, 2024
PTI puts condition
Following the request from the government and the opposition including JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who advised the PTI to delay its demonstration till foreign dignitaries left Islamabad, the former ruling party has put conditions to delay the demo.
According to the sources, PTI founder Imran Khan responded that his party would put off the protest if the government agreed to postpone the constitutional amendments till Oct 25.
CM Gandapur conveyed this message to the powers that be but allegedly received no response.
Taking on X, former PTI lawmaker Shafqat Mehmood advised both the government and PTI to cooperate.
He wrote, “PTI should not protest in Islamabad till October 17 because of the esteemed foreign guests coming. While the government should also accept the condition and not bring the controversial constitutional amendments in the parliament these days.”
Section 144, Rangers deployed
Amid the protest in Islamabad and Lahore in two consecutive days, the Punjab government has deployed Rangers in four cities of the province and imposed Section 144, banning political gatherings, sit-ins, protests, and rallies.
