Supporters of Pakistan's jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan arrive at Islamabad's D-Choke. A convoy of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Bushra Bibi is moving towards Zero Point in the city. The area has already been taken under the control of the army. Pakistan-based media The Express Tribune reported this.
The country's interior ministry on Friday (November 22) announced the deployment of the army to strengthen security in Islamabad under Article 245 of the constitution. The move comes in the wake of violence following PTI protests, Express News reported.
Intermittent clashes between police and PTI workers continue in Islamabad Zero Point area. Rangers have been deployed at important government buildings. Army personnel have taken up positions around D-chowk.
Business closed at Abpara Chowk due to tear gas. An additional 1,000 policemen have been sent to Islamabad from Rawalpindi to control the situation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has given strict instructions to the security forces to take strict measures if necessary to control the situation. According to a report by Radio Pakistan, firing against protesters has also been permitted if necessary.
Rangers were rammed by a car on Srinagar Highway in Islamabad on Tuesday morning. State-run Radio Pakistan reported that four rangers and two policemen were killed in the incident.
Meanwhile, a ranger was injured by stones and bullets thrown by protesters in Chungi No. 26, an area of Rawalpindi. He was shifted to Rawalpindi Hospital in critical condition.
Army has been empowered to impose curfew in any area to control the situation. The notification of the Ministry of Home Affairs mentioned that this step is necessary to maintain law and order.
A source in the security forces said that all measures are being taken to prevent violence and ensure public safety.
Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned that the government will take strict action against the PTI if it tries to march at D-Chowk.
He said PTI wants to resort to violence to implement its destabilizing agenda. But they will not be given that chance.
Pointing out that the law and order forces showed sufficient restraint towards the protesters, he said, if the police had opened fire in response to the protesters, they would not have been able to cross Pathargarh.
Meanwhile, Barrister Gohar Khan and Saif held a 90-minute meeting with PTI founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail. After the meeting, Barrister Gohar told reporters that Imran Khan's call for protest is final and rumors of its cancellation are baseless.
He said, Imran Khan's decision remains unchanged. PTI will continue the movement as planned. He mentioned that the ongoing political situation and the future strategy of the party were also discussed in the meeting.
When asked about the progress of the discussion on the movement, Gohar Khan said that everything will be informed in time.
PTI has launched a movement with four demands, including the release of all political prisoners including Imran Khan. On November 13, Imran Khan urged people to join Islamabad through a post on social media X.
In the context of the visit of the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko to Pakistan and to prevent possible clashes between the law enforcement forces and the protesters, the government has decided to block all the main roads leading to Islamabad with containers.
Despite heavy police and Rangers deployment, many PTI activists broke barriers and marched towards the capital defying restrictions. Throughout the day, clashes broke out between PTI activists and law enforcement officials at various places in Punjab.
As a result, life in several cities of Punjab, including the capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has come to a standstill.
According to media reports, several leaders including PTI Chief Whip in Parliament Amir Dogar and Zain Qureshi were arrested from Multan. According to the Punjab Police, around 600 people have been arrested so far on charges of violation of Section 144.
On Sunday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the protesters would be detained outside Islamabad. He expressed his satisfaction with the security arrangements by traveling by helicopter to observe the security arrangements in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Attock.
He said, as per the orders of the High Court, necessary measures have been taken to maintain peace and public order. Police, Frontier Corps (FC) and Rangers are active in discharging their duties. The Home Minister also said that the government has taken maximum measures to protect the life and property of the citizens.
