Police fired tear gas at PTI supporters on Friday as they marched towards Islamabad’s D-Chowk for “peaceful protest”. The federal capital administration has suspended mobile networks and internet services in the twin cities while the police have blocked all entry and points to the cities.

Clashes were also reported between followers of Imran Khan’s party and the police at some locations. Reports said that PTI workers torched trees to lower the impact of gas.

The PTI’s cavalcade led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur reached Brahma after removing the containers. But It was stuck at Barahma due to police action. After some time, they managed to move forward.

Around 7:45pm, police fired tear gas on Gandapur’s cavalcade at Katti Pahari in Hassan Abdal. The clashes resulted in injuries to multiple individuals, including police personnel while the area was plunged into darkness during the shelling.

Police have arrested 10 more PTI workers from Rawalpindi and protesters on Murree Road have been dispersed.

In recent weeks, the PTI has organised numerous rallies nationwide to protest the “unlawful” detention of its founder, the delays by the Election Commission of Pakistan in executing the verdict on reserved seats, and to advocate for the “preservation” of the Constitution.

Prior to its rallies in Islamabad and Lahore earlier this month, the government imposed a series of stringent regulations. Imran Khan’s party did not fully adhere to these guidelines, leading to confrontations between its supporters and law enforcement agencies.

The party’s central leadership has yet to arrive at the D-Chowk. Earlier, when the convoy reached Burhan Interchange, police fired tear gas at them. They claimed to have arrested some female supporters of PTI.

Amidst this turmoil, PTI leaders Shaukat Basra and Amir Mughal reached D-Chowk. Prior to this, when the convoy reached Burhan Interchange, police tried to prevent the protesters from advancing.

At least 30 protesters have been arrested, according to police.

Iconic public square

D-Chowk is the entrance of the Red Zone.

Islamabad’s iconic public square location is close to several important government buildings like the Presidency, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Parliament, the Supreme Court, and foreign embassies. Over the years, the spot has made it an ideal venue for political leaders and civil society to raise their voices.

Naqvi’s warning

Prior to such events, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reiterated that the PTI would not be allowed to continue its “current actions.”

“If someone plans to storm Islamabad, we wouldn’t let that happen,” Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told a news conference late on Thursday.

He urged Khan’s party to shift the rally to later dates, to avoid disrupting Islamabad’s preparations to host a meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) on October 15 and October 16.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is visiting, to be followed by a high-profile Saudi delegation and Chinese Premier Li Qiang ahead of the conference, Naqvi said, adding, “We can’t allow any chaos.”

Any agitation in the capital would not send a good signal to the world ahead of the conference, Naqvi said.

Disregarding the appeal, Khan asked his supporters to gather outside Parliament regardless of obstacles.

“I want you all to reach D-Chowk today for a peaceful protest rally,” he posted on X on Friday, referring to a spot outside parliament. “This war has entered a decisive phase.”

Gandapur’s cavlacade

Under the leadership of KM Gandapur, the PTI cavalcade reached Chhachh in Attock district, Punjab.

At Chhachh, containers blocking the motorway were removed using cranes and workers were waiting for the arrival of the KP CM while the Punjab police were “absent from the scene.”

Additionally, the Chenab Toll Plaza in Wazirabad has been closed off with containers placed on both sides, leading to long queues of vehicles. This closure raises concerns about the potential spoilage of goods in the trucks due to delays.

30 people arrested

At least 30 people have so far been arrested, Islamabad’s IGP Ali Nasir told reporters as he spoke about the actions taken in areas where there were disturbances.

He added that assessments of the situation were being made and emphasised that the law does not permit anyone to take matters into their own hands.

When asked, the IGP mentioned that any decision regarding the restoration of mobile services would be announced by the interior minister.

In Wazirabad, the Chenab Toll Plaza has been closed off with containers placed on both sides, causing long queues of vehicles and raising concerns about the spoilage of goods in trucks.

Following the announcement of a protest by the PTI at D-Chowk in Islamabad, PTI women headed towards D-Chowk, carrying PTI flags. However, police detained several of them.

Schools were shut and cellphone services were suspended in Islamabad and the adjacent garrison city of Rawalpindi.

A telecoms official told Reuters that cellphone services were blocked on directions from the interior ministry.

Federal capital sealed off

The protest by the PTI has led to unprecedented road closures in the capital, with Islamabad being completely sealed off.

Containers have been placed to restrict access for those coming from Rawalpindi, severely limiting the movement of Islamabad residents. The Red Zone is sealed off, educational institutions and main roads are closed, and both mobile phone and metro services have been suspended.

Due to the placement of containers at entry and exit points, vehicle movement has become nearly impossible, and motorcyclists are also searching for alternate routes. Additionally, extra police forces have been deployed at various locations.

The closure of roads has also made it difficult to exit Lahore. Several PTI workers and others arriving at D-Chowk have been detained for violating Section 144 (which bans gathering of people).

The entry points to Islamabad, including Motorway Chowk, T Chowk, 26 Number Chungi, Faizabad, and routes coming from Murree, are closed.

Capital city bans public gatherings

The capital city administration has banned public gatherings under Section 144 of the CrPC and urged citizens not to engage in any illegal activities.

Sources said that the PTI has completed “preparations” for its protest at D-Chowk, with convoys set to depart from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the leadership of KP CM Gandapur.

They added that a specialised and trained team would precede the convoys to the protest site, with heavy machinery deployed ahead to clear the routes.

Gandapur has instructed the convoys to reach D-Chowk “at all costs,” despite road closures leading to Islamabad. He was scheduled to depart from Peshawar at 11am for the protest site and was scheduled to address supporters in Swabi at noon.

Cabinet members, party leadership, and assembly members will oversee the convoys in their respective constituencies. Each National Assembly member has been tasked with “bringing 500 supporters for the protest” and special containers have been prepared with sound systems installed for the event.

Army to assist government in maintaining order

Amidst this, the interior ministry approved the army’s deployment in Islamabad to assist the federal government in maintain order during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit.

The government is mobilising to prevent the PTI power show at the Minar-e-Pakistan and has called in the Rangers.

The federal cabinet approved the request for military assistance under Article 245 of the Constitution, with the army taking charge of security for important government buildings and the Red Zone. Rangers are already stationed in Islamabad.

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Government prepares to counter PTI protest

Ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, additional containers have arrived at Murree Road and Faizabad and all entry points into Islamabad would be closed due to the protest.

Motorways have also been shut down at various locations including Swabi, Haroonabad, Burhan, GT Road, Brahma, Wah Cantt, and Mian Khan. Heavy machinery has arrived at rest areas, along with fire brigades, mobile cranes, and ambulances.

All routes from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been closed off with containers, with Motorway M-1 completely shut down at four locations: GT Road, Attock Khurd, Hassan Abdal, and Chashka Point. The closure of all entry and exit routes across the district has left travellers facing significant difficulties.

Islamabad police have commenced arrests ahead of the protest, detaining 412 individuals, including masseurs, beggars, and motorcyclists attempting to enter the city.

Sources stated that around 60 Afghan nationals were also apprehended from Afghan settlements in the area. All individuals were reportedly detained in Bahara Kahu, Tarnol, and Sangjani. Islamabad police claim that all arrested individuals are supporters of the PTI.

The police have also reported recovering “pipe bombs, slingshots, and marbles from the demonstrators.” Following the arrests, security has been heightened, and Rangers will be deployed in the Red Zone starting Friday night.

Crackdown on PTI supporters

Islamabad police have formed seven teams to arrest PTI workers, with each team consisting of 15 to 17 police personnel and officers, sources said. Such teams would carry out arrests at various locations throughout the federal capital, with each team led by an officer of the rank of sub-inspector.

An officer of the rank of SP would lead the team.

Pillion riding banned

To maintain law and order in the city, the Islamabad administration has imposed a ban on pillion riding for the next two days.

In Khyber District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, internet services have been suspended indefinitely. Internet service has been down since last evening in the Bara area, causing difficulties for local businesses and students, and the suspension is set to continue indefinitely.

(With input from Reuters)