ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activists, led by party founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, on Tuesday reached D-Chowk after removing obstacles on the way.
Speaking to a charged gathering, Bushra Bibi reiterated that she would lead the movement for Imran Khan's release from the front. She said she would be the last woman to leave the venue.
Ali Amin Gandapur also motivated the gathering near D-Chowk to stay put till achieving the objective.
Sheikh Waqas Akram denied PTI workers' involvement in killing Rangers and police personnel.
Educational institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad will remain closed on the third consecutive day on Wednesday.
Earlier, the caravans reached Zero Point on the main Islamabad-Srinagar Highway where they clashed with law-enforcement officials when they were stopped from marching further.
Police fired tear gas shells on marchers to disperse them. The protesters, in retaliation, pelted police personnel with stones.
The boundaries of Red Zone begin beyond Zero Point, where military personnel have been deployed.
Earlier, PTI leader Arbab Naseem, who was with the convoy from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, told a foreign media outlet that when the workers tried to remove obstacles at Zero Point, police started tear gas shelling.
He also expressed the hope that they would reach D-Chowk later in the day.
ISLAMABAD IGP'S RESOLVE
Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi said on Tuesday that police would move the miscreants out of the federal capital in line with the IHC order. He said no leniency would be shown to any miscreant and law would take its course.
GOVERNMENT CLAIM
The government called in army in and around Red Zone with a clear direction to "open fire on miscreants".
Government sources claimed that Imran Khan had agreed to shift the venue for the protest sit-in but Bushra Bibi was adamant and resolved to reach D-Chowk.
Bushra Bibi, on the other hand, said some elements wanted to stop the PTI march. But, Imran Khan had asked her to reach D-Chowk at any cost. Party activists were also not ready to go to any other place, she added.
Sources claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was tight-lipped about the “decision taken in the reported negotiation [with government].” PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan has also been “silent” on the march, they continued.
PTI insiders said the central leadership seemed to be unable to determine the final location for the sit-in. No one in the PTI central leadership was willing to take responsibility, they maintained.
INCONCLUSIVE TALKS
As PTI's main convoy, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, entered Islamabad, the first round of talks between the government and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) ended without a breakthrough.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi held talks with PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif.
Sources privy to the development said the PTI also rejected the government's offer to protest at alternative sites.
Earlier, it was reported that the KP CM led the main convoy towards its entry into Islamabad with a mission to reach D-Chowk.
As the convoy entered the precincts of the capital, security had been heightened to deal with any untoward incident.
Earlier, it was reported that main convoy from Peshawar had reached Hazro Interchange on Sunday night en route to Islamabad for protest.
The convoy reached Hasanabdal via Attock. When the convoy entered Punjab, police fired tear gas shells at the Attock Bridge, Chhich Interchange and Ghazi Barotha Canal.
In a video message during her tough journey towards the capital, Bushra Bibi said, “My brothers, as long as Imran is not with us, we will not end this march,” she said while addressing supporters at a stop near the Hazara Interchange. “I will stay there till my last breath, and all of you have to support me. This is not just about my husband but about the country and its leader."
Police also fired tear gas at the participants of the convoy coming from Haripur, led by Opposition Leader in the National Asembly Omar Ayub, at Attock Bridge. The participants set fire to the greenbelt around it and a vehicle parked on Ghazi Bridge.
Later, police also fired tear gas when the convoy reached Taxila checkpost. But, police had to retreat due to the advance of the PTI workers.
The PTI convoy led by Taimur Masood from Taxila joined Omar Ayub's convoy at the checkpost.
Earlier on Sunday, the district administration sealed major routes to Islamabad. Key roads leading to the capital were blocked with containers, including Srinagar Highway at Zero Point and Expressway near Khanna Pul.
Also Read: Barrister Gohar meets Imran Khan, says there is no looking back
It may be recalled that police had earlier said that the road leading to Islamabad airport was open. But, later they denied access to the airport and Faizabad to Islamabad route was also cut off, leaving commuters stranded.
SHEIKH WAQAS CONFIRMS BUSHRA BIBI'S PARTICIPATION
Meanwhile, Sheikh Waqas Akram denied the news of conflict between Gandapur and Bushra Bibi and confirmed that the former first lady was also part of the PTI protest convoy from Peshawar, and traveling by a separate vehicle.
In a post on social media website X, he wrote that the convoy, led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, had already set off towards Islamabad.
He added that Bushra Bibi, travelling alongside party workers, could not leave workers alone at this crucial moment. "She emphasised that if the PTI expected families to join the workers in the protest, then Imran Khan's family would be the first to lead by example," said Akram.
According to Akram, she expressed the confidence that under Imran Khan’s leadership, the goals of the march would be successfully achieved.
Additional convoys from other regions were expected to join Gandapur in Swabi, after which the combined convoys had to head towards Islamabad.
SCHOOLS CLOSED
Educational institutions in Islamabad and Rawalpindi had been closed since Monday.
The decision to close the schools and universities was made in light of the current situation, and it applied to all educational institutions in the federal capital and Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner of Murree announced that all educational institutions in the district would remain closed due to the ongoing circumstances.
In Bahawalpur, the Islamia University postponed exams scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.
According to the university's spokesperson, the exams will now be held on Dec 2 and 3, while classes will proceed as usual.
LAHORE REOPENS FOR SHORT TIME
Meanwhile, the traffic police in Lahore announced that all entrance and exit roads to the city were open.
Read More: Arrests, extra police deployments in Punjab to prevent PTI workers from reaching Islamabad
A spokesman for the traffic police said traffic was entering and exiting the city from Ravi Bridge, Old Ravi Bridge, and Saggian Bridge as usual.
Traffic from Thokar Niaz Baig is allowed in all directions, including Multan Road. Similarly, there is no blockade on Raiwind Road, Ferozepur Road and Gajumatta, the spokesman added.
On Tuesday, there were reports that police again blocked city's entry and exit points.
CAPITAL SEALED
Reuters adds: Pakistan's capital was put under a security lockdown ahead of protests by supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan calling for his release.
Highways leading to Islamabad through which supporters of Khan, led by members of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (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.
Gatherings of any sort have been banned under legal provisions, the Islamabad police said in a statement.
Global internet watchdog NetBlocks said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that live metrics showed WhatsApp messaging services had been restricted ahead of the protests.
A key Khan aid, Ali Amin Gandapur, who is the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and is expected to lead the largest convoy into Islamabad, called on people to gather near the entrance of the city's red zone, known as "D Chowk".
Islamabad's red zone houses the country's parliament building, important government installations, as well as embassies and foreign institutions' offices.
"Khan has called on us to remain there till all our demands are met," he said in a video message on Saturday.
The PTI's demands include the release of all its leaders, including Khan, as well as the resignation of the current government due to what it says was a rigged election this year.
Khan has been in jail since August last year and, since being voted out of power by parliament in 2022, faces a number of charges ranging from corruption to instigation of violence.
He and his party deny all the charges.
"These constant protests are destroying the economy and creating instability ... we want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters," Muhammad Asif, 35, a resident of Islamabad said in front of a closed market.
More to Read: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi, others booked in Nov 24 protest cases
The last protest in Islamabad by PTI in early October turned violent with one policeman killed, dozens of security personnel injured and protesters arrested. Both sides accused the other of instigating the clashes.
60 HELD IN FAIZABAD
Rawalpindi police clashed with PTI workers on IJ Principal Road, arresting around 60 participants after baton-charge. Officials claim 100-150 PTI workers were dispersed at the site.
Meanwhile, PTI leaders allege that 490 workers and leaders have been arrested across Punjab, with 100 reported missing.
PUNJAB-KP BORDER SEALED
To stop convoys from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Attock-Khurd border has been fully sealed, with checkpoints set up. Security forces have been equipped with tear gas shells, helmets, and batons.
Similarly, access to roads in Jhelum, Faisalabad, and other parts of Punjab has been blocked, paralysing travel between provinces.