Ahead of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for D-Chowk this Friday, Islamabad Police arrested 412 individuals, including 60 Afghan nationals. This crackdown targets PTI workers gearing up for the demonstration.
The preventive measures come as PTI, led by Imran Khan, prepares for the protest. Authorities have tightened security to block access to the protest site.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi cautioned PTI leaders against proceeding with the protest, especially due to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Islamabad. He warned, “Any attempt to storm D-Chowk will be met with strong resistance,” emphasizing that security breaches will not be tolerated.
Furthermore, Islamabad’s administration has coordinated a deployment of 4,000 police officers to deter protesters from reaching D-Chowk, with additional Rangers and Frontier Constabulary forces guarding the Red Zone. In Rawalpindi, heightened security and over 150 PTI activist arrests underscore the alert status of law enforcement.
Starting Thursday night, security measures will also include barriers at critical points between Rawalpindi and Islamabad, aiming to control movement towards the protest venue.
Read: Islamabad Red Zone Sealed Amid Anticipated PTI Protests
Rawalpindi’s City Police Officer, Khalid Hamdani, confirmed the deployment of over 4,000 officers to maintain order, stating that legal actions are ready for those disrupting peace or damaging property. Surveillance efforts will assist in identifying offenders.
Conversely, Barrister Saif, an advisor to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, affirmed PTI’s intention to proceed with the demonstration despite governmental pushback. He declared that a significant number of participants, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, would be present.
Gandapur rallied supporters to join the “battle for true freedom” and avoid bringing private vehicles, citing government seizures as a deterrent.
