The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has announced the cancellation of its protest in Islamabad, citing the government’s actions against peaceful demonstrators.
The party condemned the violent measures taken during an operation targeted at protestors and has appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan for a suo moto notice.
A spokesperson for PTI stated that, given the government’s plans, the peaceful protest has been temporarily called off. Future actions will be guided by the directives of PTI founder Imran Khan.
The spokesperson also condemned the gunfire directed at peaceful protestors in Islamabad, which resulted in hundreds of injuries and at least eight reported fatalities among party workers.
PTI expressed gratitude to citizens from Rawalpindi and Islamabad for hosting protest caravans from across the country and thanked overseas Pakistanis for joining in a historic global protest in response to Imran Khan’s call. The spokesperson reaffirmed the party’s commitment to the struggle for true freedom.
In related developments, during a police operation against unruly protestors in Islamabad, 450 workers were arrested. The Rawalpindi police conducted a significant operation near the 26 Number Chungi, with approximately 800 arrests reported across Punjab.
Authorities recovered a substantial cache of weapons, wireless devices, and other implements from the suspects, who are accused of assaults on police and vandalism.
Notably, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi managed to escape in a vehicle during the operation, fleeing from the D-Chowk area as police cleared protestors from Jinnah Avenue.
In an effort to apprehend fleeing protestors, the Attock Bridge connecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab has been closed, and containers have been re-deployed to block routes. A heavy police presence has been established at the bridge.
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Throughout the day, clashes continued in Islamabad’s Red Zone, with PTI workers engaging in skirmishes with police. Protestors armed with sticks and catapults hurled stones at law enforcement, leading to a tense standoff.
Last night, violence escalated when rioters drove a vehicle into Rangers personnel on Srinagar Highway, resulting in the deaths of four Rangers and injuries to five others. The Pakistan Army has been deployed to the federal capital with orders to shoot rioters on sight.
Security sources reported that the assault on law enforcement resulted in the deaths of six personnel, including two police officers, and over 100 police officers have sustained injuries, with several in critical condition.
