Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf convoys from various cities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa marched to Islamabad on Sunday for former prime minister Imran Khan’s release. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur-led convoy has crossed the Swabi Interchange while Bushra Bibi remains at the Swabi Rest House.

Highways leading to Islamabad through which supporters of Khan, led by members of his PTI, are expected to approach the city and gather near the parliament, have been blocked.

Most major roads of the city have also been blocked by the government with shipping containers and large contingents of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in riot gear, while mobile phone services have been suspended.

Sources said that a convoy led by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub is en route to the federal capital and Gandapur’s group would depart for the federal capital upon Ayub’s arrival.

The KP chief minister, who reached the Swabi rest area, energised the crowd with slogans and urged supporters to unite and use their strength to clear the way. “Everyone should move forward together; become each other’s strength, and give way to the machinery first,” he stated.

When asked by Aaj News about the closed roads and how they would proceed, Gandapur said: “We will open all the roads and reach Islamabad, so don’t worry.”

He would lead the protest from Swabi. The KP chief minister is expected to board a container after arriving in Swabi this afternoon.

Reports of a heated exchange between Gandapur and Bibi surfaced on social media as they prepared to depart. Despite the speculation, the former first lady remained part of the PTI convoy heading to Islamabad. Her sister, Maryam Riaz Wattoo, commented on the social media platform X, stating that everyone was urging Bibi not to go due to concerns for her safety; however, “those who walk the path of God are not deterred by such fears.”

Just a day prior, there were reports that she would not participate in the protest due to health issues.

In response to such developments, PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram confirmed that Khan’s wife is part of the convoy departing from Peshawar under the leadership of Gandapur.

Four injured as car set on fire

At least four people were injured when a car parked at the Ghazi Interchange was set on fire. Unverified reports claimed that PTI supporters allegedly attempted to set a fire near the Ghazi Toll Plaza, resulting in a vehicle parked at the Ghazi Interchange catching fire.

The PTI workers pulled the injured passengers out of the burning car.

Clashes erupt in Dera Ismail Khan

In Dera Ismail Khan, police launched an assault on PTI workers gathered near the M-14 CPEC bridge close to Maple Leaf Cement. The Punjab police responded with heavy shelling and fired rubber bullets, prompting many workers to retreat. Despite the chaos, some activists continued to advance, donning gas masks and carrying slingshots.

In a show of defiance, the workers set fire to the dry grass along the roadside near Maple Leaf Cement.

Meanwhile, at the Isa Khail Interchange, heavy machinery was used to clear the CPEC route, with containers that had been blocking the road removed. The convoy resumed its journey towards Islamabad, overcoming obstacles in its path.

A central PTI convoy departed from Peshawar, consisting of a container and several other vehicles. A truck accompanying the container carries two large fans, likely intended to divert tear gas away from the main convoy.

PTI convoy departs from Swat

A PTI convoy set off from Swat for the protest in Islamabad, under the leadership of provincial minister Fazal Hakim. A large number of supporters accompanied him. It was headed towards the Chakdara Interchange, where workers from other regions will join.

Groups from Balakot, Baffa Pakhul, Oghi, and Torghar started their journey towards Mansehra.

After gathering at the Mansehra rest area, the convoy would depart from the motorway rest area towards D-Chowk where all processions from KP would converge at the Mansehra and Burhan Interchange.

In Nowshera, routes leading to Islamabad have been sealed off with large containers placed on the roads. Major containers have also been set up on the Punjab side of the Attock Bridge.

A heavy deployment of Punjab police is stationed at the Attock Bridge, ready to manage PTI convoys coming from various districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In anticipation of the potential PTI protests, the staff at the motorway toll plaza have vacated their cabins and returned to the office, leading to vehicles entering the motorway without paying toll fees.

Toll plaza staff reported that they received instructions to leave the premises due to the situation.

M-1 motorway reopened amid PTI protests

Earlier in the day, the M-1 motorway at the Peshawar toll plaza, which had been completely closed to all traffic due to the protest, was unexpectedly reopened by the police.

The protests have led to a severing of ground connections between Punjab and KP. The GT Road at Attock Khurd has been fully sealed off with containers placed on both sides and a heavy presence of Rangers, Frontier Corps, and police has been deployed at the Attock Khurd checkpoint.

The motorway police had closed the M-1 motorway at the toll plaza from three different points, blocking all traffic in both directions.

In relation to the earlier closure, the motorway police stated that the M-1 motorway was shut due to fog and it would be reopened for traffic once visibility improved. Following the reopening of the Peshawar toll plaza, PTI workers began arriving at the location.

Roadblocks

In response, authorities have implemented significant security measures. Major roads leading to Islamabad have been blocked with containers. All entry points to Lahore have been sealed, and roadblocks have been erected at 24 locations across the country, including Gujranwala, Taxila, and Jehlum.

The Mangla Bridge has also been closed. Furthermore, metro services have been suspended, bus stations closed, and hotels and hostels evacuated.

Over 30,000 police, rangers, and Frontier Corps personnel have been deployed along entry and exit routes. Deputy Commissioners from 17 districts have been stationed in Attock and Rawalpindi, with the Attock force receiving 40,000 riot control shells.

The scale of the security deployment underscores the government’s anticipation of a large and potentially disruptive protest.

All entry and exit points to Rawalpindi and Islamabad, as well as all routes leading to the federal capital from Lahore and Faisalabad, have been blocked. Containers have been used to seal off all access points to the twin cities.

Six locations, including Faizabad, have been closed off with containers. Faizabad, IJP Road, Rawat T-Chowk, Carriage Factory, Mandrah, and Taxila Road are all blocked. Kacheri Chowk will operate as a one-way street. All connecting roads in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are completely sealed.

The Ministry of Interior has written to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) requesting suspension of mobile phone and internet services. The PTA has received this request.

PTA sources indicate that mobile phone services will remain operational, but internet and Wi-Fi services will be suspended. The decision to shut down mobile phone services will depend on the evolving situation.

Punjab cut off from KP

Due to today’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest in Islamabad, ground transportation links between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been severed.

The GT Road has been completely sealed off at Attock Khurd with containers placed on both sides. A heavy contingent of Rangers, Frontier Corps, and police are deployed at the Attock Khurd checkpoint.

The M1 Motorway is also completely closed at three different points in both directions. Meanwhile, PTI leadership and workers from Attock district have already reached Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

All arrangements have been made to prevent the convoy of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur from entering Punjab. Forces are on high alert along the motorway and GT Road.

Lahore’s entry-exit points blocked

All entry and exit points to Lahore have been blocked in anticipation of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest, causing significant disruption and hardship for citizens.

In response to the planned protest, all connecting roads have been sealed off with containers. Motorways leading out of Lahore have been closed. Babo Sabo has also been completely shut down with containers and barriers, and a heavy police presence has been deployed.

Roads leading to Shahdara and Bhatti Chowk have been blocked from both sides. Containers are also in place on the Azadi Flyover, causing further congestion and frustration among citizens. Police officers are stationed on the flyover, some armed with batons.

The motorway connecting Lahore to Islamabad is also closed. All bus stations along the closed routes have been shut down. Lahore Ring Road is completely closed to traffic at all interchanges.

Ravi Bridge, Old Ravi Bridge, Sagian Ravi Bridge, Eastern Bypass, and Babo Sabo are completely closed to both inbound and outbound traffic. Traffic is flowing on Thokar Niaz Beg to Multan Road. Raiwind Road, Ferozepur Road, and Gujjarpura remain open to traffic.

A Lahore Traffic Police spokesperson stated that traffic within the city is flowing normally.

Meanwhile, Metro Bus service in Lahore remains limited today for passengers.

According to the Punjab Mass Transit Authority, the Metro Bus service is currently operating only between Gujjarpura and MAO College. The limited service will continue throughout the day.

Containers have been placed along the Metro Bus route, and the service will remain restricted until they are removed.

Protest to continue until demands met, PTI leadership says

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar stated that there is no possibility of negotiations and that protests will be held wherever they are stopped. He confirmed that the call for protest is final. He mentioned that Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had contacted him, but he hasn’t responded yet, adding that a breakthrough is possible in a day or two.

Barrister Gohar further stated that he would remain in Islamabad and would join the protest once the convoys entered the city.

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said that they will remain at D-Chowk until all demands, including the release of Imran Khan, are met.

According to the Chief Minister’s spokesperson, regardless of roadblocks or containers, they will reach Islamabad to protest and achieve their demands. They will bring private machinery to clear any obstacles, rather than relying on government resources.

PTI leader Shandana Gulzar said that whether it takes 12 hours or 100 hours, they will reach D-Chowk. She stated that regardless of government roadblocks or containers, they will stage a sit-in wherever the road is blocked.