Highlights

• Lawyers attack govt offices in Faisalabad during protests against police ‘brutalities’
• District Bar Association Chiniot has announced a complete strike
• PTI directs workers to come out for peaceful protests across the country

PTI protesters have burnt down a police van on Islamabad’s Srinagar Highway shortly after the party gave a call for peaceful nationwide protest amid a possible arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Instructions have been issued to all regional, district, and local officials to be ready, PTI said in a statement on Friday. “We condemn bullying and force used to run matter.”

The party has directed workers to come out for peaceful protests across the country after Friday prayers. “They are trying to play with Imran Khan’s life.”

“Will not allow Imran Khan to be subjected to state vendetta,” said PTI condemning the “worst” crackdown against workers.

As of 5 pm, police and protestors were engaged in a standoff. The police was also tear-gassing the crowds to clear the highway.

Srinagar Highway closed for traffic

The Srinagar Highway was closed to all kinds of traffic after clashes between PTI workers and Islamabad Police.

The Islamabad police confirming the development advised the commuters to take alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.

A van was burned near the G13 sector by the protestors, who gathered in support of the PTI leader Imran Khan.

Ahead of Imran Khan’s appearance in the Islamabad High Court, Police had asked the public to refrain from obstructing the legal process and to avoid heading towards the court due to heightened security measures that may disrupt public movement.

In a series of tweets, the spokesperson said that overall, the situation in Islamabad is normal. “In some places, some people have been detained while taking action against the gathering.”

He also confirmed that the army is stationed in the red zone and they are patrolling. “There will be no compromise on public order in Islamabad.”

“Some miscreants have been seen at Islamabad Chowk. They have sticks and sticks. Police have been dispatched to disrupt them,” he concluded.

Faisalabad

Moreover, a group of lawyers raided Faisalabad’s District Commissioner’s office as they protest against recent police action in the district bar.

Our correspondent who is at the site, stated that they pushed the gate and pelt stones at the police. In retaliation, police fired shells at the protestors.

Moreover, they also staged protests at the Commissioner of Police’s office where they chanted slogans against the police.

Lawyers said that the protest will also be recorded in front of the Regional Police Offices.

In Chiniot, District Bar Association Chiniot has announced a complete strike in protest against the Faisalabad Bar protest.

In this regard, General Secretary Bar Association Shahid Yaqoob said that the police tortured the citizens to please their political masters, and violence on the lawyer’s community is unbearable.

“We are standing by Punjab Bar Council’s decision to go on strike,” he concluded.

Over 30 arrested

More than 30 people, including women, were arrested by the Islamabad police. The PTI has called upon its supporters to gather at the Sri Nagar Highway in support of their leader.

Before Khan’s appearance, the police and Rangers fired tear gas at several places to disperse the protesters.

Tear gas and water cannon

Small groups of supporters danced on the streets at news the arrest had been overturned. In Lahore, police fired tear gas canisters into a crowd cheering the decision.

But with dozens of cases against him, Khan “has a long way to go”, analyst Imtiaz Gul told AFP.

“This is just a timely relief, probably as part of efforts to de-escalate the explosive situation and reduce tensions,” he said.

“The cobweb of criminal cases seems meant to entangle and thus incapacitate him from active politics” ahead of elections due in October, he said.

Several thousand of Khan’s supporters had rampaged through cities around the country this week in protest at his arrest, setting fire to buildings and blocking roads.

At least nine people have died in the unrest, police and hospitals said.

Hundreds of police officers have been injured and more than 2,000 people arrested, mostly in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, according to authorities.

At least eight officials from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party who were accused of orchestrating the protests were also detained, Islamabad police said.

Security forces have responded with tear gas and water cannon to quell the crowds and on Thursday came equipped with batons and riot shields.

(With input from AFP)