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PTI Islamabad protest: Govt geared up for convoys marching toward capital

Routes to Islamabad and Rawalpindi closed with containers, and heavy law enforcement contingents have been deployed in response to PTI's demonstrations.

WATCH: Police officer, assigned to duty at the PTI protest, 'swings' into action

Updated Nov 25, 16:20

Amid ongoing PTI protests in Rawalpindi, a police officer stationed at Chungi No. 26 entertained himself by swinging on a nearby swing. 

With PTI supporters mobilising across Punjab towards Islamabad, police forces have been on continuous duty since early 24 November. Deployed in large numbers, officers near the Chungi No. 26 area have been working to maintain security amid periodic clashes between protesters and law enforcement.

One police officer’s brief break on a swing has attracted mixed reactions, with some sympathising with the long duty hours officers endure, while others questioned the optics given the volatile protest environment.

 

PTI convoy departs Hazara Interchange for D-Chowk

Updated Nov 25, 15:54

Convoys led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin and opposition leader Omar Ayub have crossed into Punjab.

The convoy is advancing from Hazara Interchange towards D-Chowk in Islamabad.

Severe tear gas shelling from police targeted the convoy at the Ghazi Barotha Bridge.

At Hazara Interchange, Omar Ayub’s convoy managed to push back the Punjab police, allowing Ali Amin to successfully lead the Hazara division convoy past police encirclement.

With the Hazara division convoy joining the main PTI convoy, the line of vehicles stretched over two kilometres.

On Hazara Motorway, PTI supporters forced police to retreat amidst intense stone-throwing and clashes, resulting in multiple injuries among police personnel. Two severely injured officers were transferred to a hospital.

Among those injured were DSP Patrolling Rawalpindi Chaudhry Zulfiqar, DSP Patrolling Jhelum Shahid Gilani, and ASI Attock Tabsum, with DSP Zulfiqar sustaining serious injuries to his back and legs.

Mianwali

The convoy from Mianwali is positioned near Dhoke Miskeen along the CPEC route, facing heavy resistance at Hakla Interchange.

The protesters were forced to retreat after clashes with police; however, a large number remain near the village of Mahlo along the CPEC route. Police are expected to act again should protesters attempt to advance.

 

Barrister Gohar dismisses protest cancellation rumours

Updated Nov 25, 15:39

Barrister Gohar and Barrister Saif held a 90-minute meeting with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan at Adiala Jail where they discussed strategic aspects of the ongoing protest movement.

After the meeting, Barrister Gohar confirmed to journalists that Imran Khan remains firm on his call for a protest, dismissing rumours that the demonstration might be cancelled.

"This discussion was significant," Barrister Gohar said, emphasising that Imran Khan’s stance on the protest was unwavering. “There is no truth to the rumours of cancellation. The movement will continue as planned.”

The meeting centred on the current political climate and PTI's plans, with Barrister Gohar describing it as a critical discussion on the party's future actions.

When asked about possible ongoing negotiations related to the protest, Barrister Gohar assured that updates would be provided “in due course,” but withheld further specifics on these discussions at this stage.

Islamabad’s CIA Centre declared sub-jail

Updated Nov 25, 15:35

In response to the escalating Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protests, Islamabad authorities have designated the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Centre in the I-9 sector as a sub-jail, an official notification confirmed.

The directive, issued by Islamabad's Chief Commissioner with approval from the Ministry of Interior, formally reclassifies the CIA Centre as a sub-jail under Section 3 of the Prisons Act 1894. Authorities stated that this centre will now hold demonstrators detained during the ongoing PTI protests in Islamabad.

The directive to repurpose the CIA building as a detention facility is one of several measures taken by the Islamabad administration to maintain control amid the large-scale protests.

“This is not just about my husband; it is about this country and its leader” Bushra Bibi

Updated Nov 25, 15:22

Bushra Bibi, wife of detained Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, addressed a crowd of PTI supporters, pledging to stand with them "until [her] last breath" to secure her husband’s release. Bushra, who spoke from atop a container at Burhan Interchange, urged supporters to stay resolute in their ongoing protests, vowing she would not leave until Khan was freed.

“I will stand here until my last breath for Imran Khan’s release,” Bushra said. She expressed hope that her supporters, particularly the Pathan community, would stand by her until the end, calling Pathans “people of honour.”

Her message to the crowd was fervent: “My children, my brothers, we will not end this protest until Imran Khan is with us. I will stay right here until the very end, even if I am left alone.”

Bushra Bibi also emphasised the broader significance of their struggle, stating, “This is not just about my husband; it is about this country and its leader.”

With this rallying cry, she concluded her speech with chants of “Allahu Akbar,” urging the assembled PTI workers to keep faith as they pushed for Imran Khan’s release.

Barrister Gohar meets Imran Khan at Adiala jail

Updated Nov 25, 14:49

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar, along with other key party figures, met former Prime Minister Imran Khan at Adiala Jail.

Barrister Gohar, accompanied by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P) Information Advisor Barrister Saif, and PTI leader Ali Mohammad Khan, met with the jailed party founder, Express News reported.

Sources say the purpose of the meeting was to brief Imran Khan on the latest developments concerning the Islamabad protest, and to take his guidance on the matter.

 

 

Government braces for PTI rally with heavy security, roadblocks, and internet shutdowns

Updated Nov 25, 14:52

PTI rally towards Islamabad has prompted the government to implement stringent security measures. Key roads to the capital have been sealed off with containers, while law enforcement agencies, including the police, Rangers, and Frontier Corps (FC), have been deployed in large numbers to block the march.

Islamabad has been effectively turned into a fortress, with critical routes like the Srinagar Highway, GT Road, and Expressway blocked to prevent the PTI convoys from entering the city.

Security measures have also been enforced in Rawalpindi, where all public transport has been halted, including the Metro Bus service.

In addition to the physical barricades, authorities have suspended internet services in high-risk areas, aiming to prevent the PTI supporters from coordinating and dispersing information.

The Ministry of Interior confirmed that mobile data and internet services could be fully suspended in areas with heightened security risks, ensuring smooth enforcement of the measures.

PTI convoys face heavy resistance as they march toward Islamabad

Updated Nov 25, 14:51

As the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) rallies, led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), advanced towards Islamabad, they faced heavy resistance from law enforcement agencies.

The convoys, which began their journey from Swabi, encountered intense tear gas shelling and clashes near key points such as the Attock Bridge, Chach Interchange, and Ghazi Barotha Canal. The protests escalated as demonstrators responded by setting fires and damaging property.

Despite the government’s efforts to block access to the capital using containers and heavy security deployment, PTI supporters pushed forward. Police in Punjab reported using tear gas to disperse the protesters, and clashes continued as PTI workers tried to breach security barriers.

Several PTI leaders, including Amir Dogar and Zain Qureshi, were arrested, with the Punjab police confirming approximately 600 arrests for violating Section 144.

Social media disruptions hit Pakistan as government steps up measures to halt PTI protest

Updated Nov 25, 14:51

Social media platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook have been facing widespread disruptions across Pakistan, with users reporting difficulties accessing these services on Monday.

The outages coincide with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party’s announced plans to march to Islamabad, and many speculate that the disruptions are connected to government efforts to hinder the protest. However, no official statement has confirmed the cause of the disruptions, raising questions about the timing.

Downdetector.com, a service that tracks website and social media platform outages, has shown a significant rise in complaints from Pakistani users about slow internet speeds and outages.

There have been recurring issues with WhatsApp services particularly affecting WhatsApp Web, voice calls, and multimedia messages. Users have been experiencing disruptions for several hours, with some citing issues sending and receiving voice messages, pictures, and videos, and others mentioning delays in calls or even complete outages.

Although the government had already announced plans to disrupt internet services in areas deemed to be security risks, no formal statement has been issued regarding the blockage of social media platforms.