Naveed Ahmad Khan
Burhan: A convoy of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Bushra Bibi, wife of party founder Imran Khan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, has reached Dhoke Ghar near Burhan and is now making its way toward Islamabad.
In response to the anticipated protest, 6,000 police personnel have been deployed at various entry points to prevent protesters from entering the capital.
Police have established a significant presence at Chungi 26, where they have stockpiled stones and prepared tear gas and rubber bullets for potential crowd control. Rangers are also on alert at this location.
The PTI convoy, having set out from Peshawar on Sunday afternoon, was reported to be at Haropul on the motorway by 8 AM. Irhan Saleem, a district president of PTI, mentioned that the convoy faced significant obstacles along the route but expressed optimism about entering Islamabad by noon if conditions allow.
As the protest unfolds, police have arrested over 139 PTI workers in Islamabad, with additional arrests reported across Rawalpindi.
The authorities have implemented Section 144, prohibiting gatherings, and have closed key access roads, including the Srinagar Highway and the Expressway at Khanna Bridge.
In a crackdown on PTI activists, police have detained dozens of individuals, including key party members. Reports indicate that around 490 PTI workers have been arrested in various cities across Punjab, with many others currently unaccounted for. In light of the protests, the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro Bus service has been suspended, and internet and mobile services have also been disrupted. The Ministry of Interior has indicated that connectivity will be restricted in areas deemed to have security concerns.
Bushra Bibi has emphasized the importance of effective activism and loyalty among party leaders, warning that long-term affiliation with PTI will not guarantee electoral success if expectations are not met during the protests.
She reiterated that the upcoming demonstration in Islamabad is a crucial test of loyalty to the party, with the primary goal being the release of Imran Khan.