Gandapur calls off protest after getting stuck at Burhan Interchange

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was unable to join his party’s protest in Rawalpindi as he got stuck at the Burhan Interchange, where he later announced the end of the protest and instructed workers to return home.

Supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) arriving from K-P had gathered at Burhan Interchange, and after the Punjab Police halted shelling, they began advancing towards Rawalpindi.

Long queues of vehicles formed on the motorway, with PTI workers leaving their vehicles to march on foot. Gandapur’s convoy arrived at the scene, and the chief minister instructed his supporters to move forward, despite the ongoing shelling.

However, as they progressed, Punjab Police resumed shelling, leaving Gandapur trapped in the crowd. Subsequently, he announced the conclusion of the protest and urged the demonstrators to disperse, stating, “We will return again.”

As tensions rose at Burhan, PTI workers blocked Chief Minister Gandapur’s vehicle, protesting the police shelling and motorway closure. They demanded that Gandapur lead them on foot. In response, the chief minister briefly exited his vehicle and encouraged the protesters to continue advancing. However, when some workers insisted he join them on foot, Gandapur lost his temper and allegedly used inappropriate language before retreating to his car.

Meanwhile, Barrister Dr Saif, a senior PTI leader and K-P government spokesperson, praised Gandapur’s efforts, stating, "The chief minister recorded a strong protest today by crossing the Attock border and demonstrating on Punjab soil."

He added, "Despite the obstacles, Gandapur spent five hours confronting the full might of the Punjab and federal administration. After the protest ended, he returned to Peshawar."

Dr Saif also confirmed that the protest in Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh had concluded, and announced that, on the orders of party founder Imran Khan, PTI would resume protests next week.

Meanwhile in Rawalpindi, clashes between PTI supporters and police erupted and 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.