In a tweet, the police said fire brigades managed to put out the blazes but the protesters set fire to trees elsewhere including in the Express Chowk area.

Journalist Waqar Satti had tweeted visuals from the area, stating that it was Islamabad’s Blue Area.

“Do these people deserve any relief or compassion?” said the tweet.

Islamabad Inspector General Police Akbar Nasir Khan stated that protesters won’t be allowed entry to the Red Zone, where key government institutions as well as the diplomatic enclave are located. “Strict action will be taken against those who try to enter the area.”

He requested the demonstrators to remain peaceful, not throw stones at police and not destroy property.