According to Islamabad police, the shelling occurred in response to stone-throwing from protesters, which resulted in injuries to several police personnel, including the SSP of Safe City.

Police dispersed the PTI supporters at 26 Number Chowki and electricity was restored in the surrounding areas.

Authorities allowed women and children to cross the interchange on foot and the Srinagar Highway connecting to the motorway was also reopened.

They issued warnings through loudspeakers for protesters to clear the area. In response to the situation, the Islamabad administration called in the Frontier Corps for assistance.

Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi told Aaj News that there had been route violations at Chowki Number 26, and appropriate legal action would be taken by the law. He confirmed that FIRs would be registered against those violating regulations.

The IGP clarified that the time for the rally had not been extended.

He added that the NOCs issued for the rally were clear and action would also be taken for stones thrown on officials.

Meanwhile, containers have been removed from beneath the 26 Number Chowki bridge and the road has been reopened for traffic from both directions. Efforts are ongoing to clear containers blocking the route from GT Road to Peshawar.

Earlier, police detained Aaj News reporter Afzal Javed, placing him in a prisoner transport van. Despite Javed identifying himself as a media representative, the officers refused to acknowledge his status and attempted to seize his phone.

But the SSP of operations later intervened, releasing Javed upon verification of his identity and apologising for the incident.

Former president Arif Alvi described the police shelling as “shameful, cruel, cowardly, and senseless act.”

In a long post on X, he claimed that the government could not tolerate the rally despite all the obstacles.

“I appeal to the people to remain peaceful because those who can impose a false May 9 can raise all kinds of false flags,” he said.

PTI supporters clash with Islamabad police on GT Road

According to reports, the PTI supporters allegedly clashed with Islamabad police on GT Road as they insisted on taking the road to the rally site. Police warned them to adhere to the designated route.

The administration cautioned the protesters to vacate the 26 Number Chowki area and alerted Frontier Corps personnel and tear gas squads in anticipation of potential unrest.

In response to the rally, containers were placed on GT Road to block traffic from both directions near Sangjani. PTI is scheduled to hold its rally in the Sangjani area of Islamabad.

After some discussion, the PTI supporters eventually agreed to the police’s conditions and decided to use the motorway to reach the rally site.

Notice issued to vacate rally venue

The Islamabad district administration issued a notice for the PTI leadership to vacate the venue for the rally after it was delayed.

The rally in Sangjani was scheduled to start at 4pm, but the convoys have yet to arrive. The convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandpaur was still en route.

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Although a significant crowd was present at the venue, the rally did not commence.

The district administration warned that if the agreement was violated, future no objection certificates (NOCs) for rallies would be denied.

The Islamabad deputy commissioner stated that legal action would be taken for any violations of the NOC and urged the organisers to adhere to the schedule. He mentioned that the situation would be reviewed again at 7pm; if the rally has not concluded by then, it would be declared “illegal in writing.”