Story highlights

• PTI workers were seen fighting a pitched battle with police at Muree Road
• Police also fire shells on a convoy in Attock as Gandapur leads several vehicles towards Rawalpindi
• ‘Section 804’ imposed in Pakistan, says Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur
• Mobile phone service suspended in garrison city; Metro bus service also suspended

PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan ended the party’s protest rally against the proposed constitutional amendment at Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh on Saturday after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur failed to reach the venue. Clashes were also reported between party supporters and the police.

Workers attempted to reach the venue to protest amid tear gas and rubber bullets from police. PTI leadership and the supporters also struggled to make it to the garrison city. Before Khan’s announcement, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari claimed that Gandapur had turned back before reaching the city. Shortly after, the KP chief minister announced his return from Patangar.

While withdrawing, Gandapur stated: “We do not wish to confront the institutions. We have made our protest known. We will return and heading straight to Adiala Jail.” He then departed with his convoy back to Pathar ghar.

The PTI chairman made the announcement in a statement and informed party leaders to cease their activities.

Throughout the day, clashes continued around Liaquat Bagh and various areas in Rawalpindi, where police engaged in prolonged shelling of PTI workers, deploying rubber bullets. In response, the protesters hurled stones at the police, causing them to retreat.

In a separate incident, the Punjab police arrested several journalists, including Haider Shirazi and Rizwan Shah at the Islamabad toll plaza.

The atmosphere around Liaquat Bagh was filled with the sounds of gunfire and shelling while a blackout occurred along Murree Road and nearby areas, leaving residents in a state of fear. Police also targeted convoys arriving from Attock with tear gas, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals during the protest in Rawalpindi.

PTI workers, dodging tear gas canisters and rubber bullets, emerged in groups from various streets towards Liaquat Bagh. Even after arriving, police continued to fire rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. In retaliation, the protesters threw stones and glass bottles at the police. Heavy shelling was also reported against female protesters at Committee Chowk, led by Aaliya Hamza.

PTI announces new protest dates

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced new protest dates after its demonstrations in Rawalpindi concluded amid clashes with police.

PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram released a video statement praising party members for their participation in the protest at Liaquat Bagh.

“I want to congratulate every PTI leader, worker, and stakeholder who showed up today,” he stated, commending them for standing firm against police shelling and “direct fire” while overcoming obstacles like containers and barriers.

Waqas announced that significant protests are planned in Multan, Mianwali, and Faisalabad on October 2.

Clashes erupted around Liaquat Bagh

Clashes erupted at Attock Road and Murree Road between the police and supporters of the PTI on Saturday as the latter marched towards Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh for the protest against the government’s proposed constitutional amendment, aimed at judicial reforms and extension in the chief justice of Pakistan tenure.

Police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets as tensions escalated, according to reports, prompting protesters to retaliate by throwing stones. Many demonstrators sought refuge from the tear gas by entering the side streets adjacent to Murree Road while local residents were seen providing water to the PTI supporters. Police also targeted convoys arriving from Attock with shelling, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals in Rawalpindi.

As of 3pm, no party leader reached the Liaquat Bagh. The first convoy, led by Shehryar Riaz, arrived in Rawalpindi around 4pm while the first group to reach the protest site was led by Amir Mughal, arriving at 4:30pm. Alia Hamza is leading the cavalcade of women supporters.

Police also prevented PTI Chairman Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja from entering Rawalpindi while they awaited more convoys coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

To thwart the demonstration, police set up containers at twenty-five locations across Rawalpindi and deployed 4,000 officers and personnel. They also conducted raids on the houses of workers across, yet no active PTI members were apprehended. In response to the crackdown, PTI leaders from Lahore left for Rawalpindi the night before to avoid arrests.

To thwart the PTI protest, authorities have crippled communication systems in the area. Mobile phone signals have been shut down, the Metro bus service is suspended, and the Islamabad Expressway has been blocked with containers.

Punjab information minister criticises Gandapur

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari stated that “Gandapur has once again been thwarted” and has returned after a futile attempt.

At a press conference in Lahore, she said that there would be no room for lawlessness in the province and claimed that the Punjab chief minister knows how to maintain order. “The troublemakers have once again been sent packing.”

Bukhari accused the PTI of planning chaos in Rawalpindi while security forces face attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She mentioned that the KP chief minister left for Swabi and expressed concern over PTI’s intentions to bring cranes and fire trucks to disrupt the peace in Rawalpindi.

“Should the Chief Minister be focused on solving common citizens’ issues or carrying an AK-47? Does any political party come to protest armed?” she said.

Bukhari stated that PTI has not been granted permission to hold a rally in Rawalpindi, citing the imposition of Section 144 in the city.

‘Decisive battle’

KP spokesperson Barrister Saif stated that a “decisive battle” for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan, who is imprisoned in Adiala Jail, has begun.

He added that a “massive wave of public support, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, will clash with authorities in Rawalpindi.”

Tensions flared between lawyers of the Insaf Lawyers Forum and the police. As lawyers gathered at the district court to participate in the protest, a heavy police presence attempted to prevent them from proceeding. The ILF lawyers protested against the police’s actions as they tried to enter the court premises.

PTI claims arrests of ‘key leaders’

The PTI has claimed that its chairman and secretary general were arrested near E-13 while en route to Rawalpindi. According to the party, both leaders were “forcibly removed” from their vehicle and placed into a police van.

Later, the police team released Barrister Gohar. After his release, he stated, “We were arrested by the police at E-13 and Salman Akram Raja was with me. They told us to turn back instead of going to Rawalpindi. After a discussion with the police, they let me go, but Salman Akram Raja remains in custody, and we are not allowed to proceed to Rawalpindi.”

Raja was also eventually released, but the police instructed him to return to Islamabad rather than continue to Rawalpindi.

Around 5pm, police also arrested PTI female leader Samabia Tahir. Shortly before 6pm, PTI provincial assembly member Tanveer Aslam was taken into custody on Murree Road. He confronted the police, saying, “You slapped me, and I will hold you accountable for it.”

Attock bridge

Reports have emerged of shelling on PTI workers at Attock. PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai claimed that unarmed party members were targeted with tear gas.

At Attock Bridge, PTI supporters and police came face-to-face, leading to a tense standoff. In an effort to disperse the agitated crowd, police resorted to shelling, which prompted the protesters to respond by throwing stones at the police.

Containers deployed at 25 locations

Police have deployed containers at 25 locations throughout Rawalpindi and stationed 4,000 officers and personnel to maintain order.**

The PTI leadership in Rawalpindi and Islamabad implemented their strategies to mobilise supporters. Police conducted raids at the homes of party workers across 32 police stations; however, no active members were apprehended during these operations.

Additionally, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has warned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Ali Amin Gandapur that no disruptions would be tolerated in the garrison city and any attempts to take the law into their hands would be met with “strict consequences.”

Gandapur travels from Swabi

Gandapur has embarked on a journey to Rawalpindi from the Peshawar Motorway Toll Plaza, leading a convoy of supporters. As he arrived, enthusiastic party workers gathered around his vehicle, chanting slogans in his favour.

PTI lawmakers from the province are also preparing to leave Swabi for the Rawalpindi protest. A reception camp has been set up for attendants near the Anbar Interchange on the Peshawar Motorway, featuring chairs, tents, water, and shaded areas.

Government resources were mobilised, with heavy machinery from Rescue 1122 and fire brigade units on standby. The influx of party workers has already commenced.

In comments to the media in Mardan, the KP chief minister expressed confidence, stating that his team would overcome any obstacles to reach Rawalpindi and added that they were “undeterred” by the Punjab government. He hinted at a significant event on the horizon, noting the imposition of “Section 804 in Pakistan, and encouraged citizens to witness the unfolding situation.”

Section 144 imposed across Rawalpindi

The Punjab government has imposed Section 144 across the Rawalpindi Division for two days to prohibit all political gatherings, sit-ins, rallies, and protests.

This ban will be effective on Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29, affecting the districts of Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal.

Mobile signals and Metro services suspended

Mobile phone signals within Rawalpindi have been turned off, the Metro Bus service has been suspended, and the Islamabad Expressway has been blocked with containers. In response to the situation, PTI leadership from Lahore left Rawalpindi overnight to avoid arrests.

Key motorways, including M1 and M2, will be closed, and roads from Chakri, Bahatar, Taxila, and AWT will be blocked.

To bolster security, six companies of Rangers will also be deployed in Rawalpindi and Attock, following concerns about potential unrest from armed groups.

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Meanwhile, Rawalpindi’s City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani has ordered the cancellation of all officer leave, stating that any violations of this order will result in dismissal.

Despite the PTI’s plans, the administration has not granted permission for the event. Following this denial, PTI Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram indicated that if the gathering was not permitted, the party would still proceed with the protest at Liaquat Bagh.