The capital city administration turned off the lights at Islamabad’s D-Chowk on Friday as the supporters of PTI marched towards the protest venue.

The lights on Jinnah Avenue, adjacent to D-Chowk, have also been turned off. Meanwhile, police, Elite Force, and Frontier Corps personnel are present on Jinnah Avenue and at the D-Chowk.

In a parallel development, an “important meeting” led by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi is under way, where police officials have been called to discuss the situation arising from the protests. Attendants include the inspector general of police, the deputy inspector general of operations, and other officers.

Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan has once again urged his supporters to assemble for a “peaceful protest,” as the party ramps up its preparations for a rally despite a ban on gatherings. Another rally is set to take place at Lahore’s Minar-i-Pakistan on Saturday.

“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.”

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The PTI has organized numerous protests nationwide in recent weeks, advocating against the “unlawful” imprisonment of its founder and the Election Commission of Pakistan’s delays in executing the reserved seats verdict, as well as calling for the protection of the Constitution.

Prior to the rallies in Islamabad and Lahore earlier this month, the government imposed strict regulations, which the PTI did not fully adhere to, resulting in clashes between party workers and law enforcement.

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