PTI's Islamabad-bound machinery attacked

Leaders march ahead; vow not to return till Imran's release

PESHAWAR:

Unknown individuals attacked heavy machinery that was being sent to remove obstacles in Swabi near the Peshawar Motorway toll plaza.

After causing damage, they attempted to set the vehicles on fire. However, the attackers fled after the arrival of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and leaders.

PTI Peshawar President Irfan Saleem stated that the police had stopped the machinery, and after that, the unknown individuals attacked it.

He claimed that the attackers shot at the machinery's tires, rendering them useless. Later, the attackers tried to set the cranes on fire by spraying petrol on them.

However, PTI workers quickly arrived at the scene. Irfan Saleem also claimed that after the attack, the drivers and other staff of the private machinery and cranes heading to Swabi went missing.

K-P Chief Minister's Special Assistant for Information and Public Relations Barrister Dr. Saif has said that violence against convoys coming from Sindh and Balochistan is condemnable.

He stated that the fake government is in a "state of confusion" and has planned to cause deaths in Punjab as well. "To sustain their fake rule, the uncle and niece want to create chaos," he alleged.

In a statement, he said that the bewildered government has turned Pakistan into a "containeristan," with blockades and trenches.

He added that covering containers with green cloth at D-Chowk reveals the nefarious intentions of the fake government, which has planned to defame PTI through a video by using the green cloth as a symbol. "However, the public should remain aware of the government's malicious plans."

Dr Saif mentioned that in order to stop peaceful protests, the fake government has blocked the entire country for a week.

"The closure of highways has severely affected ambulance services, and many deaths have occurred due to patients not reaching hospitals. There have been reports of several child and pregnant women fatalities as well."

He said arrangements are being made to remove these obstacles. He added that last night, authorities fired at machinery used to remove blockages and attempted to set it on fire, but PTI thwarted the attempt.

"Over the past week, they have been resorting to low tactics." Dr Saif further stated that the government still has time to address the demands; otherwise, the situation might spiral out of control, as recently witnessed in Bangladesh.

A question circulated regarding whether the members of the assembly and party officials of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), under Bushra Bibi's instructions, would be able to meet the target for the number of workers for the protest.

Bushra Bibi had set a target for National Assembly members to bring 10,000 people, and Provincial Assembly members, ticket holders, and party officials to bring 5,000 people.

on Sunday, the members of the assembly and party officials departed from their constituencies. At the Peshawar Toll Plaza, it was observed that the members of the assembly and ticket holders were traveling in their own vehicles.

Some assembly members left in convoys, but the required number of workers was not visible in their convoys. This raised questions on social media and in political circles about whether the members of the assembly had met the target.

The assembly members stated that they had campaigned to bring workers for the protest, and now the workers who arrived were being taken along. One MNA member explained that they couldn't find enough vehicles, which is why many workers left in their own cars.