Rawalpindi becomes battleground amid PTI-police clashes
Clashes between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters and police erupted in Rawalpindi on Saturday, as the situation turned violent during a protest march towards Liaquat Bagh.
The area around Committee Chowk became a battleground after PTI workers removed containers set up by the authorities to block their path.
Chanting anti-government slogans, large numbers of PTI supporters gathered at Committee Chowk, demanding access to Liaquat Bagh. According to Express News, the workers removed the barricades and began marching towards their destination. In response, the police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to violent clashes along Murree Road.
The confrontation spread quickly, with major clashes reported from Committee Chowk to Liaquat Bagh. PTI workers retaliated by hurling stones at the police, who responded with more tear gas. The escalating violence turned the entire area into a conflict zone, with PTI supporters attempting to push through the heavy police presence.
“PTI workers were in large numbers, and the police were trying to control the situation, but the workers started throwing back the tear gas shells fired at them,” a witness told Express News.
Police reinforcements were called in as the clashes intensified, and several roads, including Murree Road, Committee Chowk, and Liaquat Bagh, were sealed off to prevent the march from proceeding.
Tear gas affects civilians, media
The widespread use of tear gas created panic among local residents. Tear gas shells landed in nearby homes, affecting women and children. Local media reported cases of civilians fainting or experiencing breathing difficulties. "There are reports of women and children falling ill due to the tear gas," said a journalist on the scene.
The situation also became difficult for media personnel covering the event, with some reporters caught in the crossfire between the protesters and the police. "It became almost impossible to continue filming when the gas spread across the area," said one media representative, who had to leave the scene.
PTI activists force police to retreat
In another part of the city, PTI workers managed to force the police to retreat at Rialto Chowk. Protesters broke through the police barricades and began moving towards Murree Road from China Market, chanting slogans and throwing stones. The police, overwhelmed by the large crowd, withdrew from several key locations, including Committee Chowk, Rialto Chowk, and China Market.
In response, law enforcement officers sounded emergency sirens, and additional reinforcements were summoned. Despite this, PTI workers continued to advance, with large numbers gathering at Committee Chowk, forcing the police to momentarily pull back.
Key arrests
As the clashes continued, the police began arresting PTI workers involved in the protests. According to reports, senior PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja were also detained. Both were arrested near H-13 as they were reportedly travelling to Rawalpindi to join the protest. Their arrest further inflamed tensions among the party supporters.
Police initiated a crackdown on PTI activists late last night, conducting door-to-door raids to detain prominent leaders and prevent them from joining the demonstrations.
Police call for more reinforcements
As the clashes showed no signs of abating, law enforcement agencies ran out of tear gas shells, prompting an urgent request for more supplies. The Dolphin Force was also deployed, firing warning shots into the air to deter the advancing PTI supporters. Despite these efforts, police struggled to contain the growing crowd, particularly on Murree Road.
"The situation is getting out of control; we need more units and supplies to deal with the protesters," said a police officer on the scene. The protests also disrupted the regular flow of traffic, causing difficulties for residents in nearby areas.
Rawalpindi under lockdown
Ahead of the protest, the Rawalpindi administration had sealed off the city by placing containers at all key entry points, including Faizabad, Committee Chowk, and Liaquat Bagh. All major intersections were closed, leaving residents struggling with blocked roads. Faizabad to Murree Road was entirely sealed off, and the city's main avenues, including Asghar Mall Chowk and Chandni Chowk, were closed to traffic.
Section 144, which prohibits public gatherings and the display of weapons, had been imposed by the authorities to prevent mass protests. Thousands of police officers were deployed to maintain law and order, with heavy contingents posted at Liaquat Bagh and Murree Road.
Metro Bus service suspended
In addition to the roadblocks, the city’s metro bus service was partially suspended, affecting commuters. The suspension of the metro bus service in nearby Islamabad further complicated transportation for residents, with many struggling to find alternative means of travel.
The situation caused a virtual shutdown of government offices, as the closure of major roads led to low attendance. Educational institutions and local businesses, especially around Murree Road and Liaquat Bagh, were also closed, with petrol stations, hotels, and morning markets shutting down for fear of violence.
Despite the heavy police presence and roadblocks, PTI had called for protests across Rawalpindi, particularly at Liaquat Bagh. The authorities, determined to stop the rallies, ordered a city-wide lockdown, with law enforcement agencies placed on high alert.
Police also initiated pre-emptive raids to arrest key PTI leaders and prevent them from mobilising. The crackdown led to dozens of arrests overnight, with police sweeping through several neighbourhoods known to house active PTI supporters.
Rawalpindi: A city of containers
With the city sealed off by containers and barricades, Rawalpindi resembled a city under siege. Every major intersection was blocked, including Committee Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, and Sadar Gawalmandi. Containers were placed at all strategic locations, making it difficult for residents and emergency services to navigate the city.
Access to hospitals, particularly for ambulances, was restricted, with many struggling to reach hospitals on Murree Road. Roads leading to Adiala Jail were also sealed, disrupting regular visits to inmates. The entire police force, including units from Police Lines and Sihala Police Training College, was deployed to control the situation.
As the day progressed, tensions remained high, with PTI workers vowing to continue their protests despite the crackdown. Police reinforcements were expected to arrive as the city braced for further unrest.